^, 


^tJ^- 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


A.^ 


1.0 


I.I 


lii|2^    125 
Ui  Uii    12.2 

2.0 


lU 


14.0 


I 

IE 


1 

L25    IIU      1.6 

=   11^    ^ 

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► 

PhotDgraphic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STMET 

WHSTER.N.Y.  14S80 

(716)  S73-4503 


S' 


\ 


m 


iV 


^N 


[V 


^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHJVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 
D 
D 
D 

n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagte 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculie 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  init  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avec  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intArieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmies. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  M  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  axempiaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous. 


The 
toti 


D 


y 


D 


v' 


D 

0 


v/ 


n 

D 
D 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Page»  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolordes,  tachet^es  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualiti  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplimentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  ref timed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillat  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  facon  & 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The 
posi 
of  tl 
film 


Oris 

beg! 

the 

sion 

othi 

first 

sion 

oril 


The 

shal 
TINi 
whi 

Mai 
diff( 
enti 
beg 
righ 
reqi 
met 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires: 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

aix 

32X 

Th«  copy  filrn«d  h«r«  has  tMsn  raproducad  thank* 
to  tha  ganaroaity  of: 

N«w  Brunswick  Mutsum 
Saint  John 

Tha  imagas  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  batt  quality 
possibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacificationa. 


L'axamplaira  filmA  fut  raproduit  grica  *  la 
ginAroaitA  da: 

New  Brunswick  IMuseum 
Saint  John 

Las  imagas  suivantas  ont  *t4  raproduitaa  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattatA  da  l'axamplaira  filmA.  at  an 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
the  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  covar  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copias  ara  filmad  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printad  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printad 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimAe  sont  filmAs  en  commen^ant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
darniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autras  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmts  an  commenqant  par  la 
premiAre  page  qui  camporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  at  en  t-rrminant  par 
la  darniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaltra  sur  la 
derniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ^^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: :-  ":c-''--:":,--v" 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmis  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


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INTEBESTINO  NARRATinB 


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LIFE,  comnsBsioK, 

CHRISTIE  EXI^RlJElNCI^  BflNISrE^, 


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PUILMIKS  rOK,  AKD  MLD  BT.  TBK  AOTHOK,  eORRBK  Or  RITtlTSTON 

AND  SIXJH-8TREBT;  BOLD  ALSO  BT  ORirFIM  AHD  >ODD,  BASTBUBN, 

SHE,  AND  CO.   AND  JOBN  C.  TOTTBH. 

f|  Paid  and  Thtmat,  PrMtft. 


^^ 


)813. 


Js. 


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./'■'■ 


THESE  MEMOIRS 


AEE  HCHBLT  AND  AFFECTIONATELY   INSCKlBED 


TO  ALL  MT 


CHRISTIAN  FRIENB8, 


IV 


WSQLAND,  NOVA  SCOTIA,  NEW-BRUNSWICK,  BERMUDAS,  AN* 


THE  UNITED  STATES, 


AS  A  SMALL  TESTIMONT 

or  T«»  *" 
SINCERE  ESTEEM,  GRATEFUL  REMEMBRANCE. 
AND  CORDIAL  ATTACHMENT, 

or  TBCn  TEULT 

*  OBLIGED  AND  DEVOTED  SERVANT, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


^1 


ii 


lit 


IP* 


PREFACE. 


Having  ^me  time  ago  sent  a  little  wcnrk  to  preiei, 
consfatiog  of  scrape  of  PoeUyt  tne  gleaoiiigs  of  a  few  lei- 
sure  hours,  I  thought  as  I  was  perfectly  uoknown  io  the 
United  States,  save  to  a  few  individuals,  with  whom  I  be- 
came acquainted  eleven  years  i^o,  that  I  would  insert  a 
little  notice  of  my  past  pilgrimage ;  but  as  I  could  extend 
my  remarks  *Do  further  than  a  mere  outline,  it  rather  ex- 
cited than  repressed  the  curiosity  of  my  friends,  several 
of  whom  have  been  particularly  pressing  that  I  would 
gratify  them  with  a  more  minute  and  comprehensive  Me- 
moir. I  had  intended  deferring  this  till  I  should  have 
gained  both  more  time  and  larger  experience,  toge^r 
with  the  banishment  of  all  future  wanderings  from  my 
mind ;  but  the  solicitations  of  a  few  friends,''^  and  the  en- 


•  The  author  of  the  following  letter  is  a  person  of  great  literary  attalnmeuti, 
and  aolid  piety.    I  am  sorry  that  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  iqentioo  bis  name. 

MT  DEAa  sia, 

I  heartily  thank  ycu  for  your  very  acceptable  present  of  your  Poems,  and 
the  (00  britf'  Memoirs  o^  your  Life.  The  little  biographical  sketcboH  yourself 
interested  me  exceedingly ;  it  breathes  throughout  the  spirit  of  a  deep  and  fe 
vent  piety,  a  sound  and  manly  understanding,  a  tender  and  generous  heart.  Iv. 
has  but  one  fault ;  it  is  too  short— I  wished  much  to  have  seen  more  of  your 
sArifHan  experience;  to  hare  seen  hom  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  enabled  you,  by 
the  influence  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  to  struggle  with,  Incessantly  and  successfully, 
the  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  which  war  against  the  soul ; 
Hon  you  have  been  strengthened  into  a  fit  temper  and  disposition  of  soul,  to 
receive  with  gratitude  whatever  your  Heavenly  Father  gives  you;  to  desire 
nothing  which  Ae  withholds ;  to  yield  up  with  all  obedience  to  Ai«  will  whatever 
Ae  takes  away;  and  to  dedicate  all  that  Ae  gives,  talents,  knowledge,  time,  op- 
portunity, body,  soul,  and  spirit,  your  universal  nature,  to  the  glory  of  God, 
your  reconciled  Father;  of  Jesus  Christ  your  Redeemer  and  your  Ood;  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  your  Comforter,  Sanctifier,  and  God ;  tAree  persons  in  one  Jeho- 
vah,  your  Covenant  God."  It  is  a  cordial  to  my  heart  to  brood  over  the  ac- 
counts <rf  the  tfiritval  experience,  the  soul-subduing  exercises  of  the  saialflf 

A  2 


jlv^ 


^K^^i 


9 


PRKrACX. 


MOM*  TO  At8»T  MC  WITB   ADTICB. 


couragement  of  a  mibecription  of  more  thaD  aeyea  hundred 
perBona,  have  determioed  my  mind  to  give  to  my  frienda 
the  gratification  they  desire.  I  muat  beg  pardon  of  the 
welUioformed  reader  for  the'liaaty  and  incorrect  manner 
in  which  this  little  worl^has  lieen  put  td|ether.  Not  in- 
deed  that  I  wanted  materials,  but  the  time  and  judgment 
to  compare,  arrange,  amplify)  or  abridge,  as  might  appear 
prudent  I  ham  had  no  judidous  persons  at  hand  to  assist 
me  in  the  work:  no  sagacious  critic  to  use  the  pruning 
knife  now  and  then,  to  polish  my  roughnessi^or  soften  my 
asperity.  All  I  can  say,  the  narrative'is  the  truth,  and 
nothing  but  the  truth.  I  am  not  without  hope  but  those 
who  are  not  my  enemies,  may  read  this  work  with  plea- 
sure and  profit ;  it  m'%ht  have  been  better,  had  my  ability 
been  better,  but  as  is  the  man,  so  is  his  work.  Some  may 
think  that  I  have  been  too  lavish  of  poetry ;  possibly  this 
is  the  case— but  it  may  be  some  atonement  that  it  is  origi- 
nal, extracted  from  a  manuscript  poem,  which  I  intend  to 
publish  whenever  it  is  in  my  power.  My  path  has  been 
somewhat  chequered.  I  have  passed  through  a  variety  of 
events,  both  by  sea  and  land ;  and  for  these  last  eighteen 
years,  have  been  continually  changing  my  place,  and  I 
hope,  in  some  good  degree,  fixing  my  mind.  ^ 

I  have  to  regret,  since  I  began  to  write  the  followii^ 
little  narrative,  that  I  did  not  keep  a  regular  journal,  as 
many  anecdotes,  and  incidents  worthy  of  recital,  m%ht 

God.  But  I  must  not  indulge  on  this  theme,  or  I  shall  have  neither  time  nor 
roon)  to  tell  you  bow  much  I  ad. aire  the  sound  sense,  the  genuine  piety,  tlie 
real  feeling,  and  the  command  of  language,  which  are  displayed  in  your  poetry. 
That  your  present  woric  may  have  all  the  circulation  which  its  intrinsic  merit 
richly  deserves,  and  that  you  and  yours  may  prosper,  and  be  blessed  with)  all 
temporal  and  all  spiritual  bicsaiflgs,  is  the  sincere  desire  aid  hearty  pray«r  af 
your  Brother  iaX^hriit. 


.  ^ ,,., 


*.f 


PBKFACC. 


I  lATB  PUBAM  SFOBBll  W|TB  TOO  OBBAT  IBTBIITT. 


tberebjr  have  been  matched  from  oblivioiu  I  am  not  ee*^ 
taio  but  MNne  may  accaae  me  of  vaniiyt  for  leWbag  my  own 
tele;  bat  to  tbii  charge  I  plead  not  gniity,  from  my  werf 
soul.  dbme.  of  my  brethreiin  the  midalry  may  think  I 
hare  been  serer^and  pointed  intftaeof  my  remarks,  but 
I  will  aniire  them,  the  obgervatioDa  ttriks  at  myielf  aa 
much  ai  at  any  other.  Perhaps  the  critic  on  public 
schools,  an&»on.  ships  of  wai(  is  not  enomb  modified.  I 
may  alto  have  spoken  my  mlbd  too  freely  upon  a  number 
of  things  andtfenoDs,  but  this  has  always  been  my  weak- 
ness ;  and  1  regrtft  that  it  has  often  exceeded  the  bounds  of 
prudence  and  charity.  If  I  have  offended  any  one  by 
any  thhig  I  have  written,  I  humblj|^k  pardon.  If  any 
get  benefit,  I  trust  they  will  give  (A  the  praise.  Wri- 
tings of  this  kind  have  greatly  promoted  the  benefit  of  my 
own  souIa— hence  I  hope  my  feeble  attempt  will  no  less 
contribute  to  the  instruction  and  edification  of  others. 

We  have  various  narratives  daily  issuing  from  the 
press,  and  too  many  of  them,  alas,  of  little  monrant  to 
mankind.  Shall  the  ministers  of  Christ  withhold  their 
endeavours  to  promote  the  public  good  ?  As  an  individual 
I  would  bear  my  testimony  in  favour  of  religion,  and 
bring  at  least  One  stone  to^^the  building  of  Christ's  temple. 
My  experience  has  been  singular,  and  I  ought  to  mention 
the  loving'kindness  of  the  Loxt!.  God  has  been  infinitely 
gracious  to  me,  both  by  sea  and  by  land.  He  hath  saved 
me  from  shipwreck— redeemed  me'  from  afiliction — pre- 
served me  in  danger — and  delivered  me  from  enemies. 
And^hall  I  not  praise  him  ?  In  sixteen  years  experience  of. 
his  goodness,  I  have  nevef  had  cause  to  charge  God  with 
4)Baling  either  unjustly,  unwisely,  br  ungraciously  with  me. 


PftSVAGS 


OOp't   fKOMlllB  OAS   NKVBK  FAIL. 


^* 


Id  erecy  place  I  have  met  more  friends  than  I  was  entitled 
to,  aod  have  enjoyed  more  mercies  than  1  had  reason  to 
expect,  or  gratitude  to  improve.  During  my  spiritual  pil- 
grimage, 1  have  been  in  dangerous  situations  by  sea  and 
land,  but  always  fouud  the  promises  Either  a  source  of 
consolation,  an  antidote  to  fear,  or  a  sheet-anchor  of  confi- 
dent hope.  My  soul,  acknowledge  thou  the  Lord  in  all 
thy  ways !  and  from  past  interpositions  fetch  the  materials 
to  furnish  thy  future  confidence !  There  is  a  God  that 
ruleth  the  world;  the  shields  of  the  earth  belong  unto 
God)  and  his  promises  are  the  staff  of  his  people*B  hope> 
I  have  ridden  hundreds  of  miles  upon  the  ice ;  have  been 
lost  in  snow-storms ;  Jiave  been  benighted,  and  lost  in  the 
woods;  thrown  from  horses;  have  been  benumbed  with 
cold,  and  sun-struck  with  burning  beat ;  in  perils  on  the 
sea ;  in  perils  in  the  wilderDess;  in  perils  on  the  ice;  but 
I  call  heaven  and  earth  to  witness,  I  never  found  one  pro- 
mise fail.  Tnist  in  the  Lord,  ye  his  saints !  and  to  your 
everlasting  consolation  be  it  said,  that  they  who  trust  iu 
the  Lord,  shall  never  be  confounded.  >u*j,...* 

I  have  no  purpose  to  serve  in  writing  the  following  nar- 
rative but  the  cause  of  truth.  Though  I  have  chosen  my 
own  creed,  I  am,  thank  God,  no  bigot.  The  triumph  of 
religion,  and  not  merely  the  success  of  a  party,  is  the  ar* 
dent  desire  of  my  soul,  n^f^-^t  ^f*^^w*  tw»^««»  >j«?^s^" 

"^t4?  1  And  from  my  «oul  I  hate  a  bigot's  creed,  >ftt*<i*i<&  w,  ^feiti.^^M- 
Who  for  a  partial  piety  will  plead  ;  »    .  i 


»«^         .Then  deaf  to  candour,  as  to  charity,  l'JS«   I  ^  i  i««l?^ 


^  i."f  V 


Exclainu,  "The  temple  of  the  Lord  are  we." 
Confines  religion  to  one  sect  alone  : 
Thus  Rome  asserts  the  privilege  alone. 
As  zealous  these,  the  doubtful  right  dispute, 
And  judicate  tbe  tree  bad  by  the  fruit : 


^.si  >^0::t^^^' 


ym 


»1BPACB. 


TIB  tOOIB  CAaT  OV  tATnVDtllABIAai. 


ThM  ny,  tiM  ptaty  ttit  ehMfi  tiM  MlaU, 
Muat  iourU  bMt  aaoag  tba  ProUMate. 
Tm  My  io  B^lud,  go  bayoad  tto  Twm4, 
Aad  rigid  S«ott»  diMliows  jroiir  crMdt 
CltioM  tlM  exeliMlv*  right  of  Orthodes, 
TkB  boMt  or  OalTia,  Md  tiM  pridt  bT  Emb. 
Thus  each  motti  tbo  gUti  ot  hMTM  boloag 
To  hii  own  elMi,  and  all  boddM  iro  wroag. 
Hence  pride  diapleft  hie  bMUier  wide  unfurl'd, 
And  fierce  coBtentiona  fhtko  the  ehriitinn  world. 
Hence  the  black  atreaaw  of  party  iplrit  gllda  ( 
Hence  all  the  bare  that  niata  from  Miata  dlvlda. 
Zealota  with  holy  raga  each  other  tear  ( 
Lore  weepa,  aad  piety  abhon  the  war. 


If  there  be  any  thiog  that  saToun  of  bigotrj  in  the  fol- 
>wiiig  poses,  let  all  men  know  by  tbeie  preteoti,  that  I 

ince  and  diflclaim  it ;  though  I  hope  I  am  equally  far  ^ 
rom  the  latiuidlnarian  difpoiitiooi  of  iMppoiio|that  all  are  ^ 
(ht.    The  trite  cant  of  thii  kind  of  meo  I  abhor  ftom  my  ^ 
i1-.<«  HTt  wreaUmUcmg  m  Hu Mme ptrih^tt  if  J» IM 
^ame  tking^l  hope  toe  shall  all  gti  to  Hsavm  al  hut.** 
*hk  » the  looK  and  tlorenty  opinion  of  men  who  have 
|o  religion  at  all,  and  of  half-way  Deiiti,  with  Pope  at 
leir  head,  who  has  written,  '^ 


-t.m? 


For  modea  of  faith  let  graeeleii  lealota  flghti 
Hia  cant  bawnmg,  wboae  life  la  la  Uw  right 


This  I  deny :   his  creed    may  be  wrong,    and  yet  v^i 
le  may  be  a  moral,  regular  man.     I  do  not  put  religious  i^. 
nnions  in  the  room  of  religion,  however  good  they  may:|^ 
;  they  can  never  supply  the  place  of  faith,  working  by  ^ 
llove;  of  regeneration,  produdng  humility,  heavenly-mind-  . 
fedness,  and  so  on—but  as  they  influence  our  practice  they 
tare  important.    I  am,  by  the  by,  no  creed  maker.    The 
I  word  of  God  is  my  creed— of  that  I  would  say, 


Believe,  and  show  the  reason  of  a  man ; 
Believe,  and  taste  the  pleasure*  of  a  God; 
Believe,  and  look  with  triumph  on  the  tomb. 


i^f: 


'■*t«»>ra. 


vv 


»aBfAC£. 


I'HF.   AI-THOR  AM    IlfSTANCB  OF   MSRCT   AND  OKACB. 


I  hope  my  little  work  will  be  useful  to  young  people, 
to  junior  preachers  among  the  Methodists,  and  to  Mistiion- 
aries.    Perhaps  it  may  Sail  into  the  hands  of  some  wicked 
young  men,  or  thoughtless  young  maidens,  to  whom  I  ear- 
nestly pray,  God  may  make  it  a  blessing.     To  these  I 
would  say,  th^t  the  author  was  once  as  mad,  wild,  wicked, 
and  thoughtless  as  the  worst,  but  the  grace  of  Ood»  that 
bringeth  salvation,  turned  his  feet  into  the  way  of  peace. 
Perhaps  some  dashing  sailor  may  come  across  the  follow- 
ing pages;    to  such  I  would  say,  he  that  now  writes 
this  narrative,  was  once  a  hairbrained  sailor,  thoughtless 
of  eternity,  reeling  on  the  mast,  and  rocking  on  the  yaiid  ; 
levity  and  mischief  was  his  delight ;  a  song)  a  joke,  afkd  a 
froliC}  his  pleasures ;  and  blindness  to  the  future  his  only 
refuge;  but  the  rich,  free,  exuberant  grace  of  God,  chang* 
ed  Uie  rebel  into  a  christian,  and  the  mariner  into  a  min- 
ister.   Praying  for  the  blessing  of  God  upon  this  little 
memoir,  I  cast  it  upon  the  world,   and  upon  the  provi- 
cnce  of  that  God 


♦**!»■ 


Whose  frown  can  disappoint  tlie  proudest  theme, 
|4  ;|j>  Whose  approbation  prosper  even  mine. 


iii<a  isiii. ■»«'.-), 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


;«■•    t 


Nm-Ywk,  August  2i>,  1813.  ;^:m.^^>^\^ 


t\-\ 


s*as*5^-^^  fj»'.t' ,»i!!s*^ 

^iiJi:r>i,^^^.m 

,'j  .■>'?  . ''.      '..)  .  y-    X 

.;.     f      .'t^ifiy^^xk':-  '" 

1   .    ">•  \.  ^. 

.  ,.      ,  ,      ^     ,  ■■  V  ,  ■.._        ',.. 

H.I^'jV 


•*. 


.A. 


.m^ 


:;;at»ii^'«ir--«««»ei(M(r*s*'!*»^ 


CONTENTS.  "'T^"^\^,^ 


*EiiioD  1....IVofn  the  Author's  birOi,  till  he  l^t 


•  •  •     •    *  *    ■;'>•;„. 


'eriod  2....Fr<wt  the  time  ^  my  going  to  §ea^  tili  ^$ 
Qod  first  iUuminated  my  mind  mith  the  light  of  ^ 
dmne  Truth.    .    •    .,♦    .     .    %..    *    .    .    .    38r 


BRioD  9....My  arrival  at  hornet    was  awakened,     ^- 
brought   under  the  influence  of  genuine   convic- 
tion, illuminationy  and  divine  grace.      .    •  0  •    68 

.  ■■■1. ;  '.%. 

*ERioD  4....  From  the  time  I  began  to  preachy  till 
I  embarked  as  a  Missionary  for  Nova  Scotia,  in 
British  North  Amerusa -    .    03 


[Pbriod  5....From  the  time  I  arrived  in  Bermwht, 
till  I  left  that  Island  for  the  city  ef  New-York, 
on  my  way  to  England. 161 


-i«J)J<_Ji41li!lUiMiiJiI 


^ 


A\ 


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■  '--  ■!&■:  *i?^vT?.'; 

■«.* 

.;'>  .  . 


V- 


ji^isi?  ■;^':;-:^'fS  ;  j;~'. '■■';f;fA 


liAsf-  i-  /M 


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SRfiiiei 

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.k. 


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;#*: 


jr; -><**:'>- ^ 


:  _-.•■»  .a^rrmit.!' 


31  LilOIllS,  ^c.f^*«,sr^-€^'. 


^  ^^te  ^  PRELIMINARY  RE]\|ARKS.    #^*? 

In  the  followiug  Narrative  I  shall  endeavour  to  conform 
as  closely  as  possible  to  simple  truth.    I  hope  whatever 
is  said  of  myself,  will  proceed  more  from  humility  and 
ingenuousness,  than  vanity  or  dupli^y.    I  wish  to  write 
this  Memoir  as  much  for  my  own  improvemen*  as  the 
benefit  of  others ;  and  hence  I  shall  endeavour  to  write  in 
the  fear  of  God.     Biography,  when  faithfully  executed, 
is  a  mirror  of  human  life ;  but  as  mirrors,  according  to 
their  quality,  may  give  a  true  or  false  representation,  so 
may  a  writer  give  a  correct  or  exaggerated  colouring  to 
his  own  or  another's  actions.     The  Word  of  God  is  per- 
haps the  best  model  of  biography  in  the  world.    Ir  that 
blessed  book  all  is  truth,  nature,  and  simplicity ;  no  gloss 
is  used  to  gild  improper  conduct;   no  fairy  fiction  is 
created  to  dazzle  the  fancy ;  no  masks  are  worn  to  mislead 
the  judgment  of  the  reader ;  improper  conduct  is  not  ex- 
tenuated ;  nothing  is  said  to  serve  a  purpose,  or  support  a 
party ;  but  the  lights  and  shades  of  each  charttcter  are 
mentioned  \yith  an  impartiality  worthy  of  the  Scriptures, 
and  highly  honourable  to  the  sacred  writers.    There  we 
behold  the  hastiness  of  Moses,  the  sinful  pliability  of  Aaron, 
the  seeming  impatience  of  Job,  Eli's  want  of  firmness,  the 
glaring  defection  of  David,  Jonah's  timidity,  an4  the  du* 
plicity  of  Jacob,  all  impartially  delineated. 


D 


nr. 


-^ 


tl*-i 


mmm 


tmm 


M 


JO 


MIM0IR8  OV 


iJI  , 


f 


i  ;■ 


fK. 


rUBIilMINilllT   HCMARKS, 


'  The  same  veio  of  impartial  juiUce  runs  also  through  the 
T9^ew  Testament :  the  aposlacy  of  Peter,  ambition  of  James 
and  John,  warmth  of  Baraabat,  incredulity  of  Thomas^ 
defection  of  John  Mark  from  the  work,  together  with  the 
worldly-roindedneis  of  Demaa,  all  stand  as  beacons  upon  a 
rock  to  warn  ui  against  error,  infidelity,  and  ingratitude* 
Wishing  to  appear  what  we  are  not)  or  not  to  appear  what 
we  are,  may  mislead  man;  but  God  has  his  eye  |ip<q|ii| Jtj^ 
heart,  and  requhres  truth  in  the  inward  parts. 

Impressed  witli  the  importance  of  this,  I  will,  as  far  aa 
is  prudent,  take  the  fbil  from  many  things,  that  might  l;>e 
bid,  and  disclose  some  weaknesses  that  vanity  would 
never  relate.  I  am  sensible  that  in  reciting  the  history  of 
my  past  life,  many  pages  will  be  blotted  and  others  blank : 
I  may  be  scorned  by  the  self-sufficient,  pitied  by  the 
proud  and  ignorant,  and  stared  at  by  the  immaculate. 
These  may  gaze  upon  the  spotted  monster,  and  wonder  dt 
bis  perversity;  but  the  man  acquainted  witli  the  human 
heart,  will  find  the  image  In  his  own  breast  symbolize  with 
the  writer,  and  acknowledge,  that  "  as  face  answers  to  face 
in  a  glass,**  so  doea  one  poor  unrenewed  sinner  resemble 
another. 

The  following  Xarrallve  will  not  only  contain  a  display 
of  the  goodness  of  Ood,  but  a  picture  of  my  own  weak' 
ness,  blindness,  slnfubesa,  trials,  conflicts,  slips,  blunders, 
mistakes,  ingratitude)  hardness  of  heart,  ana  deep  an^ 
manifold  unfaithfulness;  that  man  may  be  humbled,  God 
honoured,  truth  magnified,  Christ  exalted,  the  weak  com- 
forted, grace  displayed,  and  nature  shown  in  its  own  true 
and  genuine  colours. 


<u  -vrf^s?''- vtri^YHl 


^h:  -^  '•« 


m 


A.i< 


A>  ■■•-ifc>**^  j^^m^  t«fe^ 


JOSHUA  M ARBOEN. 


tf 


rnKLlHIlfARY    KEMARXS. 


Bte;  Jjtteittift-ui 


Perhaps  one  reason  why  Christian  Bii^aphj  is  not 
as  useful  as  might  be  wished,  may  be  found  in  the  cir- 
cumstaoce  of  giving  only  Ae  fair  side  of  a  life.  We 
read  of  a  christian  minister  who  Avas  eminent  in  his  day ; 
we  are  told  how  and  when  he  was  enlightened;  in  what* 
manner  divine  consolation  and  peace  first  visited  bis 
soul ;  something  is  said  about  his  subsequent  labours,  aod 
finally,  we  are  called  to  read  of  his  happy  death  and  tri- 
umphant admission  into  celestial  blessedness.  All  this  is 
very  good,  and  may  sometimes  be  profitable ;  but  a  picture 
of  this  kind  has  hardly  as  much  interest  in  it  as  the  hero 
of  a  romance.  There  we  are  called  to  view  battles,  dan- 
gers, enchanted  castles,  giants,  robbers,  dismal  woods,  pe- 
rils, escapes,  and,  finally,  success  in  attaining  the  object. 
'  What  Betterton  the  actor  told  an  eminent  Bishop,  who  ask- 
ed, *'  Why  does  a  tragedy  affect  us  more  thin  a  sermon  ?'♦ 
may  he  applied  here.  .  The  witty  man  replied,  "  We  re- 
present fiction  as  if  it  were  truth,  and  you  represent  truth 
as  though  it  were  fiction.''  Did  the  warriors  of  the  Cross 
of  old  time  pass  through  much  tribulation?  Did  they 
fight,  run,  wrestle,  watch,  pray,  strive,  contend,  resist  unto 
blood,  and  finally  turn  the  battle  to  the  gate  of  glor}%  by 
adding  to  their  faith  courage,  and  maintaining  the  noble 
warfare  even  unto  death  ?  Surely  we  cannot  suppose  the 
constitution  of  things  so  widely  altered,  as  that  a  christian, 
much  less  a  christian  minister, 


**^ 


-  w*y- ' 


> 


Can,  soft  as  summar*B  gales  to  glory  rise. 
And  flrom  a  sopha  step  into  the  skies. 


What  is  the  charm  that  makes  that  good  book,  Butt' 
ymCs  Pilgrimy  please  all  Christians  ?    One  principal  rea* 


'm. 


u 


12 


^HEMOIBS   OF 


PBELIMIMAaT   EE1KA>KI> 


son,  no  doubt,  is  the  high  interest  excited  by  the  trials' 
dangers,  and  conflicts  of  Christian  befinre  he  entered  the 
celestial  city.  Let  us,  therefore,  cease  to  paint  the  Chrisf 
tian  or  faithful  minister's  life  as  an  uniform  tenor  of  quiet- 
ness, peace,  and  ease ;  while  his  conflicts  with  the  enemy, 
struggles  with  corrupt  nature,  keen  tnals  from  the  contta* 
diction  of  sinners,  manifold  wandering,'*'  conscious  infirmi* 
ties,  and  numberless  causes  of  shame,  grief,  and  inquiet- 
ude, are  carefully  kept  out  of  sight.  Is  the  ligfit  in  a 
picture  more  pleasing  and  beautiful  than  a  skilful  and  im* 
partial  exhibition  of  both  light  and  shade?  A  true  oarrft* 
live  of  the  trials,  conflicts,  and  exercises  of  a  Christian) 
brings  a  richer  revenue  of  praise  to  divine  grace,  riieds  a 
more  amiable  lustre  upon  the  power  of  true  religion,  and 
lieightens  the  glory  of  his  final  deliverance  more,  than 
could  be  admitted  upon  the  plan  of  a  placid,  tranquil,  and 
easy  progression  in  the  ways  of  God.  Give  me,  then,  in* 
£t^d  pf  the  dull  narrative  mentioned  above,  give  me  tlie 
genuine  exercises  of  the'Hlthful  soul,  the  deep  sigbings  of 
the  penitent ;  let  me  hear  the  groans  of  agoniziiig  piety 
struggling  for  victory;  let  me  behold  the  garments  of  (he 
warrior  rolled  in  blood,  the  rocks  of  obdurate  nature  rend- 
ing, the  graves  of  corruption  opening,  and  the  dead  in  da 
springing  forth  to  spiritual  and  divine  life.  We  feel 
stronger  emotions  in  beholding  a  stormy  than  a  placid 
ocean ;  and  the  lofty  mountain,  steep  precipice,  and  over- 
hanging cliff,  fill  our  hearts  with  more  sensible  and  impres- 
sive ideas,  than  the  flowery  meadow,  lovely  httidscape,  and 
is  ■  ■  \ 

**%  It  is  not  here  supposed  the  Christian  is  under  a  monJ  necessity  to  wander, 
yet  from  ^he  vveakness  of  human  nature,  and  the  power  gf  surrounding  tempta 
tieas,  itMeften  aofiurnnuiy  ibe  case. 


K  i 


■|  -nk'^:.- 


.«■: 


JOSHUA  MARSOeN. 


13 


THE  ACTHOa'8  PAaXIITS  AND  BiaTH. 


[smooth  aod  leyel  lawo.  We  hear  with  eagerness  the  oar* 
Irative  of  a  sailor  escaped  from  a  terrible  storm,  \rhile  the 
Ipleasifjg  voyage  aod  calm  heavens  fail  to  awakeu  curiosl- 
[ty  or  command  earnestness:  hence  I  recommend  to  my 
brethren,  when  writing  narratives  of  their  own  experience^ 
to  give  us  an  uodieguised  picture  of  the  whole.  The 
apostle  Paul,  in  the  seventh  chapter  of  the  Romans,  enteri 
faithfully  and  minutely  mto  all  the  exercises  of  a  penitent 
soul.  There  we  behold  an  illustrious  warfare  betwixt 
flesh  and  s[»rit ;  there  we  behold  the  irriialions  of  the  law 
and  strong  energies  of  divine  grace  drawing  the  soul  for- 

peace ;  to  happiness  and  salvation* 


k'tti;'  ,^w0m  '-m^^ 


I  WAS  born  near  Liverpool^  in  the  kingdom  of  Great- 
Britain,  the  21st  of  December,  1 777.  My  father  was  (|e  e 
oldest  branch  of  a  respectable  family,  descended,  as  far  at 
I  have  been  able  to  learn,  from  a  family  that  gwe  name 
to  the  town  of  Marsden,  in  Yorkshire.  Some  of  ny  coi^ 
nexionSi  I  have  reason  to  believe^  were  among  the  Non- 
conformist ministers,  who  were  ejected  from  their  liviqgt 
in  the  Ume  of  Charles  II.  See  the  421st  and  436th  pages 
of  the  third  vol.  of  Palmer's  Kon-Conformisf s  Memorial. 

My  father  was  weH  educated,  and,  from  what  I  have 
heard,  inteudied  for  one  of  the  learned  professions;  but  • 
being  of  a  wild  and  volatile  turn,  he  lefl  home,  enlisted  hi. 
to  a  regiment  bf  hone,  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at 
Cherbourg,  in  France ;  but,  on  his  return  to  England;  ob- 
tained his  liberty,  and  resided  with  his  patents  at  StMdish,  V 
near  Wigan,  inliancaster, 

a  2 


■i^p 


li 


%     MMAIOlBt  09 


Rica   rABKNTB  CAN^IOT  CONrKH   WOHTH. 


My  mother,  ipihose  maidca  mmc  was  Murray,  was  of 
Scotttth  descent,  and  was  born  at  Dalkeith,  uear  Edin- 
burgh. At  tlie  time  of  my  birth,  my  parents  were  in  ia- 
digeat  circumstances :  it  is  true,  my  father  bad  inherited 
a  handsome  patrimony  on  the  dealli  of  my  graodfotlier,  but 
haying  little  economy,  and  not  being  brouglit  up  to  a  trade, 
he  had  run  through  nearly  the  whole,  and  was  fast  verg- 
ing towards  poverty,  and  its  attendant  obscurity.  But 
Cod  forbid  that  I  should  be  ashamed  of  the  civcumstauces 
of  my  birth,  or  think  my  soul  less  valuable  because  my. 
parents  were  not  rich,  nor  my  inheritance  splendic^^ 


r*  -f '" 


Where's  thy  true  treasure?  gold  laya,  **  not  In  mi.*' 
And  "not  in  me,"  the di'mond.    Gold  ia  poor; 
India's  insolvent :  aeeli  it  in  thyself, 
i^eek  in  thy  nalced  self,  and  find  it  there  i 
In  being  ao  descended,  form'd.  endowed  ( 
Sky-born,  i^y-guhted,  glty-^returnlDg  ne*  I     ^^'^^  i^ 
Erect,  immortal,  rational,  divine  t 


m. 


Yocna.  ^ 


\:*r  ^  .^^Hooour  and  shame  arise  from  no  conditions  in  life.  Ho 
Uiat  \iv0  to  God  is  worthy  of  honour,  aod  he  that  lives 
iu  vice  aod  folly,  though  he  fare  sumptuously,  drew  in 
purple  and  fine  linen,  and  roll  about  iu  a  splendid  clia^ 
riot,  deserves  only  disgrace  and  infamy. 

Neither  my  father  nor  mother  weve  truly  religious  f  the. 

former  had  a  nominal  attachment  to  the  church  of  England, 

^  and  the  latter  only  some  few  relics  of  early  presbyteriaa  re- 

f  ^gulaiity.   She  had  been  religiously  brouglit  upr  but  passing; 

through  a  variety  of  diflfereut  scenes,  she  had  nearly  lost 

tlie  seriousness  of  her  youth,  and  almost  worn  away  the 

impressions  of  her  infancy;  she  was  nevertheless  a  friend 

to  religion,  and  paid  at  least  a  partial  attention  ^>|he 

-*•  u  4 


4. », 


'"'.  .v 


J08UVA  MAR6DIN.     * 


fS 


aOOD  EXAMPLE  E88EMTIAL  TO  BDCCATION. 


morals  of  her  cbildren.    We  were  taugfal^to  praj,  reatraio- 
ed  from  speaking  wicked  words,  corrected  if  we  told  a 
falsehood,  were  furoished  with  some  general  no6oDi  of  di- 
vine things,  heard  my  father  read  in  the  scripture  on  the  '' 
sabbath-daj,  and  were  obliged  to  attend  the  service  of  the 
Church  of  England.     But  alas !  how  can  parents  hope  to 
Ixing  up  their  children  aright  who  have  no  religion  them- 
selves ;  can  it  once  be  hoped  that  prs^erless  parents  wilt 
pray  for  their  children  ?  and  if  there  be  no  prayer  in  ft 
family,  can  we  expect  the  cMldren  will  be  devout  ?  if 
we  violate  the  Lord's  day,  will  our  children  observe  and 
keep,  it  holy  ?  Will  parents  who  neglect  to  read  the  word 
of  God,  inspire  their  children  with  veneration  for  that« 
sacred  book  ?  If  a  parent  is  dark,  can  he  hope  to  illuminate 
his  children?   If  not  possessed  of  the  vital  excellence  of  - 
piety,  can  he  impart  it  to^his  children  ?  Can  he  give  that^ 
of  which  he  is  himself  destitute  ?   In  a  word,  can  pw'" 
rents  who  are  careless  about  their  own  souls;  who  liver 
without  God  in  the  world;  whO>  if  not  outwardly  im^^ 
moral,  are  at  least  devoid  of  the  pure  uid  holy  spirit  6t 
the  gospel' :  I  say,  cw  suete  parents  wonder  if  their  child^ 
ren,  formed  on  these  models,  should  be  wicked  in  Uieir  fHri*' 
vate  sphererWid  pernioious in  their  publie influence?  Wr 
all  \o€k  for  example ;    the  subject  in  his  ruler ;    the' 
scholiurin  his  master;  the  soldier  in  his  general,  and  thtf 
child  in  his  parent.      What  a  noble  example  jflid  the  hdy 
Redeemer  set  hki  disciples  ?  What  a  holy  pattern  di(l% 
they  leave  for  theur  followers  to  copy  ?  I  w^uld^a^^batr 
ministers  are  most  useful?  What  magistrates  are  roost  re^f 
Yfxed  ?  .What  pasents  are  most  beloved  ?   Surely  those' 
Trho  set  the  best  exaipple  ;  who  lay  down  holy  rules  kv> 


"•a£ 


yii, 


J^      SflMOIBS  OF 


ArrECTCD  WHEN  A   >l)r  WITlh-TBC  DAT  Or  JCDOMf.NT. 


their  children,  and  give  them  a  model  of  piety  io  their  own 
own  cooducL 

From  the  earliest  stages  of  infaDcy,  my  coDscience 
was  tender.  1  had  a  fear  of  doiug  wrong;  which 
was  frequently  increased  by  a  variety  of  alarming 
dreamsof  the  day  of  judgment:  sometimes  I  thought  the 
world  was  oa  fire,  and  that  I  was  left  to  be  consumed  with 
the  wicked  and  the  ungodly ;  at  other  times  I  was  terri* 
fied  with  horrid  apprehensions  that  devils  were  carryiug 
n^  away.  Thus  did  God  seal  instruction  uptm  my  ten- 
der mind,  to  keep  back  my  soul  from  the  pit.  Surely  I 
could  say,  "thou  scarest  me  with  dreams  and  terrifiesi 
,.me  with  visions.**  • 

I  was  frequently,  when  but  a  little  b(^,  Maious  t» 
know  when  the  end  of  the  world  would  trite  place ;  and 
exceedingly  distressed  with  the  apprehension  of  being  un-^ 
prepared,  a  flash  of  lightning,  or  a  storm  of  thunder,  would 
make  me  weep  bitterly.  I  felt  a  continual  fear  (^  death, 
under  the  dismal  presentiment  that  I  should  go  down  to 
eternal  misery;  nay,  so  strong  and  lively  were  the  im- 
ages of  wo  pictured  on  my  mind,  that  I  was  afraid  of  dark^ 
oess,  and  often  lay  trembling  in  bed  lest  the  day  of  judg- 
ment should  take  place  before  momiugw  Those  chapters* 
in  the  gospel  relative  to  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  I 
would  read  with  the  deepest  anxiety9  and  all  those,  to 
me  solemn  and  mysterious  woes,  the  women  grinding 
at  the  mill ;  the  abomination  of  desolation  $  die  flight  iu 
the  winter;  the  two  men  in  one  bed,  and  the  day» 
being  shortened,  I  combined  with  the  day  of  judgment ; 
whi^my  Xear-struck  fancy  presaged  would  take  |date 


«Matt.xziv.   MvksUt 


i.*.. 


.■<^\' 


'■^*Sk 


J08HV4  MARSBEN. 


Vf 


TCNT)1:R-HKAKTED,  but  CARBLMS  about  LSAaM150. 


[ditrii^  my  life-time.    A  knowledge  of  the  e?il  of  sin  ap* 
)ean  to  have  been  coerai  with   mj  andentanding:   I 
lardly  remember  a  period,  e?en  in  the  early  stages  of 
[childhood,  when  sin  was  not  more  or  less  painiiil:  and  had 
(my  parents  been  pious  persons,  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  a  work  of  diyine  grace*would  have  led  my  tender 
mind  to  an  early  dedication  of  its  powers  to  God ;    but 
for  want  of  this  h^p*  my  impressions  fre<{Uently  ranished 
away  as  the  moming  cloud  and  as  the  early  dew;  my 
tlieart  was,  notwithstanding,  amazingly  tender  to  the  affile- 
(tions  of  the  family.    Any  dilTctence  betwixt  mf  father 
ind  mother  pained  me  exceedingly ;  and  if  (be  latter  was      ^ 
ifflicted  or  in  distress,  my  feelings  n^re  raised  to  the    « 
lighest  pitch  of  solicitude  and  sorrow.    I  itcollectoo  otMr 
;easien,  when  my  mother  was  taken  sick,  and  expected 
die,  that  I  kH  down  upon  my  knees  before  the  family, 
[and  in  an  agony  of  ri^yer  implored  the  Lord  to  spare  fitt 
[life.    At  this  time  I  eouTd  not  have  been  UHtte  than  pels 
[haps  about  ten  years  of  age.  ■• 

With  regard  to  my  education,  it  was  6dt  Iff  the  power  of 
[parents,  situated  as  mine  were,  to  give  me  more  than  » 
I  common  school  tuition ;  and  even  this  was  alitrdBt  in  vaht; 
not  so  much  from  the  inability  of  the  masters  under  Whoiw 
I  was  placed,  as'  the  fatal  necessity  of  being  in  cbmpany 

with  bad  boys  of  eVdry  description. 

In  this  l%ht,  a  public  school,  unless  under  good  Tegulan^"^ 
tions,  has  frequently  become  a  public  pest.  Thus  the  tea- 
der-hearted  boy,  by  the  ill' example  of  others,  grows  cal«  -m- 
lous;  the  modest  and  diffident  beeome  bold' and  forward  ; 
the  best  impressions  are  lost,  and  the  worst  ptiactices,  sueh* 
as  rudeness,  mischief,  idleness,  lying,  gambling,  disobtf^ 


«€ 


XBHOIRI  OV 


BTIL  BXAMnU  TIK  BARK  OF  8CIIOOI.I. 


f 


Hieoce,  and  imcleann^ii,  are  ofteo  learned.  Tbe  uncor- 
rupted  boy  ofteo  leami  bia  book  at  the  eipense  of  hk  ia- 
noceoce ;  aod  pajs  at  the  prke  of  koowledge  all  the 
amiable  ■implidtj  he  pdwwMCT, 


m 


■§« 


Would  you  your  Mn  should  b| »  nt  or  dunce, 
LaMiThMM,  hesdatrooc*  or  alf Umm  at  ooee? 
Train  Ua  iB  pubUe  with  »  mob  ol  boys. 
Childish  In  mtsebief  only  aod  in  noise  : 
Tbe  meeic  ud  bashful  boy  will  soob  be  taught 
To  be  as  bold  and  forward  u  he  ought. 
The  rude  will  sedBe  thro*  with  ease  enough. 
Great  schools  best  suit  the  tardy  and  the  rough) 
You  seryour  wish  fullUl'd  in  either  child, 
TlM  pert  made  perter,  and  the  tame  nad*  wild. 


m^M  V 


Xjed  astray  by  the  example  of  wicked  boys,  and  und^ 
the  ioflueoce  of  an  ardent*  passionate,  yet  pliaUe,  disposi- 
tion, I  was  prevented  firom  profiting  by  tbe  means  afforded 
me.  I  could  form  no  idea  in  what  manner  these  things 
could  be  useful  to  me  in  f^rLure  life;  hence,  except  under 
the  lash  of  the  8chooIm£.«ter,  I  paid  but  little  attention  to 
either  my  book)  my  pen,  or  my  slate.  The  latter  appear- 
ed to  me  the  most  useless  of  all  useless  things,  and  I  often 
absented  myself  from  school,  that  I  might  plunge  into  the 
alream,  rob  the  innocent  bird  of  her  young,  or  stroll  about 
iii4he  ilelds  and  woods  with  other  wicked  and  truant  boys. 
««Tet  I  had  a  living  monitor,  (perhaps  tbe  light  that 
Ijghteneth  every  man  coming  into  the  wok^v^,)  Om^X  Ixnre 
testimony  against  my  c<Miduct,  and  soAietim  a^  n^ifi?  :^o'  in- 
describably wretched;  especially  when  the  fear  of  out- 
ward correction  was  jofaied  to  the  voice  of  inward  re- 
Diorsee  The  dread  of  death  prevented  me  from  running 
inte  i^^y  «m  of  a  heinoutu  nature ;  my  heart  was  often  teo- 
te  «^  tiU  a  to  rf  ;<kcctio0.    6ometiiaet  I  would  wee|»  ovfif 


',5*"(/' 


f 


V* 


JOSHVA  MABIDIV. 


CHILDkKN  MOT  A»  ADAH   firu  '       TIK  PROXIIB. 


te,  disposi- 

»  afforded 

ese  things 

sept  under 

ttention  to 

er  appear- 

nd  I  often 

e  into  the 

roll  about 

iiant  boys. 

ijSlht  that 

0}M.  bore 


my  own  wickednew,  and  bare  ofte  .  sliuddered  at  the  daring 
hardkiefli  of  other  boyf.  I  do  *ot  mean  u^  Uiis  t«  intfam- 
aUt  that  my  nature  wat  a  whit  better  thau  thein.  No : 
I  am  confident  that  I  was  a  polluted  creature;  that  mj 
heart  had  in  it  the  seeds  of  universal  sin.  I  am  afraid  the 
terms -^00''  nature  and  good-natured  .child,  are  sadly  mis* 
af^'.'iol  '.  know  of  no  nature,  save  the  works  of  nature, 
out  wliat  bnars  evident  signs  of  moral  defilement,  misery, 
uati  'uath :  not  that  I  suppose  ehildnn  are  in  the  same 
state  tliey  would  have  been  in,  if  Christ  had  never  died. 
They  would  theu  have  been  bonijuider  an  unrepealed 
curse ;  but  bis  death  has  brought  the  free  gift  upon  all  to 
juatification  of  life.  He  has  borne  our  curse»  and  none 
now  are  actually  condemned  and  under  the  wrath  of  God, 
but  those  who  knowingly  sin,  obstinately  disbelieve,  and 
wickedly  reject  the  council  of  Ood  against  their  own 
souls.  T 

To  this  it  may  be  replied.  Does  not  the  apostle,  Eph. 
ii.  3.  speak  even  of  believers  being  by  nature  the  chil- 
dren of  wrath  even  as  others.  The  Oreek  words  mm  n/w 
TiMtt  purn  ofynt  ii  %m  •!  A*itr«i,  are  rendered  by  Mac 
Knight,  were  naturally  liable  to  punuhmeni^  even  as  the 
rest  of  mankind.  Not  but  children,  as  fallen  creatures^ 
are  naturally  liaUe  to  sin,  nay,  even  prone  to  evil  as  the 
sparks  that  fly  upward.  .So  far  from  being  like  a  deaa 
sheet  of  paper,  that  may  receive  any  impression,  we  ar« 
bom  b  sin  and  shapen  in  iniquity,*  we  are  poRuted 
branches  of  a  polluted  fountain :  but  that  we  are  bom  un- 
der a  curse  I  deny,  and  prove  it  who  can.  I  would  ra- 
ther, with  the  great  and  holy  Fletcher,  say,  that  children 
are  bom  in  a  state  of  justificatioQ,  through  the  iofioite  me- 


■?■ 


w 


20 


JtKMOIRS  Q»f*l 


1 


'!  '- 


DKATH   Of-   CHRIST  COEXTEnSIVE  WITH   AUAM'S   PALL. 


xitB  of  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ;  and  that  they  do  not 
coDie  into  coademnatioo,  till  they  themseWes  actually  gio. 
How,  otherwise,  could  we  reconcile,  Suifer  little  children 
to  conie  unto  me  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  king« 
dom  of  God.  How  different  this  from  the  language  of  a 
new-light  preacher  in  Nova  Scotia,  who  used  to  call  his 
children^  serpents,  v^ers,  little  vessels  of 'Wrath,  &c.  Our 
dLord  says,  This  is  the  condemnation,  that  light  is  come  in- 
to the  world,  and  men  love  darkness  rather  than  light,  be- 
cause their  deeds  are  evil.  But  what  evil  deeds  did  new- 
born infants  ever  commit  ?  Where  there  is  no  law,  there 
is  no  transgression ;  where  there  is  no  transgression  there 
is  no  sin,  and  conse(|uently  no  condemnation;  for  the  child 
shall  not  answer  for  the  parents*  sins,  nor  yet  in  the  sight 
of  a  just,  holy,  and  equitable  God,  be  condemned  for  that 
it  never  committed.  ^^'>  ^  ra^-f^<**^  ''':^m<,  ^M  ..'^^  ^■v-';;-«v^-^n§. 
The  apostle  Paul's  reasonings  on  this  head  is  so  clear, 
that  I  will  give  it  in  his  own  words.  But  not  as  the  of- 
fence so  is  the  free  gift :  for  if  through  the  offence  of  one, 
(Adam)  many  (all)  be  dead,  that  is,  spiritually  dead  in 
sin,  and  liable  to  eternal  death,  (without  a  Saviour,)  much 
more  the  grace  of  God,  and  the  gift  by  grace,  which  is  by 
Otfe  man,  Jesus  Christ,  hath  abounded  to  many,  Tthat  is,  all) 
clearing  little  children  from  the  curse,  and  actually  par- 
doning and  justifying  all  true  beHevei-s.  Therefore,  as  by 
the  offence  of  one,  judgment  came  upon  all  men  to  con- 
demnation, even  so  by  the  righteousness  of  one,  (the  pure 
and  holy  obedience  of  Ch/ist  to  the  law,  and  voluntary 
submission  to  Hs  penalty,)  the  free  gift  came  upon  all  men 
to  justification  of  life.  For  as  by  one  man's  disobedience 
many  (thnt  is,  nil)  wrro  m^dr^  sinners,  so  by  the  obedienrc  of 


-f,. 


f 


JOSHUA   MAR8DGN. 


FALL. 


t  they  do  not 
I  actttallj  010. 
little  children 
ich  18  the  king- 
language  of  a 
3ed  to  call  his 
ath,  &c.  Our 
;ht  is  come  ia- 
han  light,  be- 
leeds  did  new- 
no  law,  there 
^ression  there 
for  the  child 
t  in  the  sight 
nned  for  that 

id  is  so  clear, 
not  as  the  of- 
Tence  of  one, 
ally  dead  in 
iviour,)much 
,  which  is  by 
,  rthat  is,  all) 
actually  par- 
jrefore,  as  by 
men  to  con- 
le,  (the  pure 
nd  voluntary 
ipon  all  men 
disobedience 
ohftdienre  of 


DBLITERANCE  FROM  DANDERS  WHEN   A   BOT. 


one,  (Christ)  shall  many*  (that  is,  all)  be  made  righteous; 
Infants  when  they  are  bom,  and  guilty  rebels  when  they 
truly  believe.    But  to  return. 

Going  to  school  was  a  great  drudgery  to  me.  I  neither 
loved  study  nor  confinement ;  reading,  it  is  true,  was  an 
exception.  I  delighted  to  read  voyages,  travels,  advetitures, 
romances,  and  so  on ;  and  frequently  all  the  little  money  I 
could  get  or  save,  was  laid  out  in  procuring  books  of  this 
kind.  Alas,  I  little  knew  the  value  of  the  privileges  I 
enjoyed !  Precious  seasons ;  but,  alas,  ye  are  gone  for 
ever!  yea,  more  precious  than  ingots  of  gold  ^  though  in 
my  wasteful  hands  they  became  mere  dross.  Ah !  had  I 
ithen  known  their  worth,  I  would  have  imprinted  the 
iiarks  of  wisdom  on  their  wings ;  but  they  are  fled ;  they 
are  vanished  away;  and  now  their  walking  spectres  up- 
^:  braid  me  with  shocking  inattention  and  wanton  neglect. 

Several  times  during  these  early  years,  did  the  Lord 
deliver  me  from  imminent  dangers.  Once  I  fell  from  a 
high  wall  on  the  stones  of  the  pavement,  and  fractured  my 
skull  in  a  terrible  manner;  but  my  life  was  preserved.  On 
another  occasion,  I  fell  through  the  ice  into  a  deeo  pit,  and 
stuck  by  my  arm-pits  from  going  under  it.  Once  plunging 
into  a  river  to  bathe,  I  jumped  upon  the  bottom  of  a  bottle 
which   cut   me   severely;   and   had    it    been   the    bot- 

^  *  Since  all  maukind  were  made  mortal  for  Adam's  sin,  the  apostle  hj 
I  o<  wo^Xo/,  the  many,  certainly  means  all  mankind.  Besides,  Christ,  in  speaking 
I  of  this  very  subject,  used  the  word  in  that  extensive  sense.  Matt.  xxvi.  28 
This  is  my  blood  of  the  new  covenant,  which  is  shed  (,^*fi  TrofXoty)  tor  many^ 
that  is,  for  the  collective  body  of  mankind ;  and  as  the  many  who  died  are  «l' 
mankind,  so  the  many  in  the  end  of  the  verse,  to  whom  the  gift  by  grace  is  said 
to  have  abounded,  are  all  mankind.  Hence  we  are  told,  1  Corinthians  xv.  22. 
"  As  by  Adam  all  died,  so  by  Christ  all  shall  I^e  made  alive."  See  also  the  follow- 
verse  16.  where  many  offences  signifies  all  offences.  Macknight'a  Epistles 
I  vol.  I.  page  876.       .  ,  _: :„„...        .  .  .„       .-  .■    ''.... 


»«-..r.;j 


MEMOIRS   or 


EAlIiT  PKLT  THAT  I  IAD  A  DVrKATCD  HATCIE. 


torn  of  my  foot,  I  might  have  bled  to  death  before  any  help 
could  have  been  got,  as  it  was  fiur  from  any  house.  Going 
with  some  wicked  boys  to  a  horse-race,  the  day  being  hot, 
some  of  my  companions  would  go  into  the  water ;  I  could  not 
then  swim,  and  the  canal  was  deep ;  however,  they  deceived 
me  by  buoying  themselves  up  as  though  they  touched  the  hot* 
torn.  I  boldly  ventured  in,  sank  like  a  btone,  and  might  have 
been  seen  no  more,  had  they  not  got  hold  upon  me,  and  res- 
cued my  life  from  a  watery  grave.  In  all  these  things  the 
good  hand  of  Jehovah  preserved  me  from  danger,  and  spared 
my  life  as  a  monument  of  his  patient  and  long-suffering 
goodness. 


Thro*  hidden  dangers,  toils,  and  death. 

He  gently  clear'd  my  way; 
And  thro*  the  pleasing  snares  of  vice, 

More  to  be  fcar'd  than  they. 


' :  -yn' 


Though  remarkably  giddy,  I  early  felt  that  I  had  a  de- 
praved nature,  which  neither  baptism,  going  to  church, 
learning  my  catechism,  saying  my  prayers,  or  being  con- 
firmed, had  been  able  to  eradicate;  fortltcauh  I  was  pre- 
served from  profane  language  and  vi%ir  wickedness, 
(esteemed  by  some  infatuated  parents  as  maiks  of  wit  and 
shrewdness  in  their  children,)  yet  I  was  very  passionate 
and  irritable ;  I  felt  a  strong  repugnance  to  render  implicit 
obedience  to  my  parents,  and  in  my  heart  hated  all  control. 
I  often  felt  dissatitified  that  my  parents  were  not  rich,  and 
wished  myself  a  man,  that  I  might  do  as  I  pleased :  yea, 
my  young  heart  was  alternately  the  seat  of  anger,  pride, 
impatience,  resentment,  and  discontent.  To  these  I  might 
add  but    the    picture    is    black  enough 

already.     Sometimes  I  would  fight  with  other  boys  till 


J0!^t7A  HARSDEN. 


23 


ADDICTED  TO  PROrAKINO  TH»  SABBATI. 


1 1  had  a  de- 


Ifcovered  with  bloodV  M 'I  ttften,  instead  of  going  tb 
chuicb,  spent  my  sabbaths  in  the  fields,  woods,  and  lanes, 
inventing  a  number  of  falsehoods  to  deceive  my  mother : 
For  after  profaning  the  Lord's  day,  I  w<rald  hasten  with  • 
all  possible  speed  that  I  might  be  at  the  church-door  be- 
fore the  service  concluded;  that  by  mixing  with  the  tlirong 
I  might  deceive  my  parents.      When  I  could  not  accom- 
[plish  this,  1  have  gone  to  the  house  of  some  friend,  and  by 
[a  master-piece  of  cunning,  pretending  I  had  forgot  the 
[chapter,  gained  my  point;  and  having  now  got  the  text, 
lastened  to  tell  a  second  lie.—  *«  Well,  my  child,  where 
lave  you  been?"  *'At  church  to  hear  Mr.  Glazebrook.'* 
-«*  I  did  not  see  you  there ;  why  did  you  not  sit  in  the 
^ew  ?" — <*  I  sat  in  the  gallery  near  the  organ."  — "  You  can 
;11  me  then  where  and  what  was  the  text  ?*'    Thus  did  I 
leceive  my  worthy  mother ;  but  thou,  my  God,  sawest  all 
ly  vileness !  Alas,  I  was  a  polluted  creature;  nature  was 
corrupt  fountain;  I  followed  the  impulse  of  my  heart; 
)ut  that  heart  was  wicked :  I  was,  it  is  true,  under  some 
restraint  of  conscience,  but  if  I  did  uot  go  to  the  extreme 
)f  transgression  it  was  more  owing  to  dread  of  punishment 
than  either  hatred  of  evil  or  love  to  thee,  O   my  God 
^and  Saviour !  as  the  only  reason  I  can  assign  for  not  being 
universally  wicked,   was  the  restraint  of  my  parents,  and 
I  the  dread  of  everlasting  punishment. 

About  this  time  my  mother  (who,  though  tolerably  strict 
[respecting  her  children,)  was  deeply  awakened  to  see  aud 
[feel  that  she  was  living  destitute  of  true  religion  herself; 
jvery  flower  of  self  righteousness  withered  aud  died  before 
[the  bright  and  penetrating  beams  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Some 
[date  their  first  impressions  from  hearing  an  awakening  ser- 


/ 


> 


fe'i 


■%i 


'^^m^ 


24 


MBMOIRB  OF 


THE  WRITIHOS  OF  PIOCI  MBR  A  IKHSriT. 


moo.  The  word  ig  quick  and  powerful;  Many  have  been 
alarmed  to  repentance  hy  cidainUief,  and  appearances  in  the 
natural  world ;  a  comet,  a  tlmndeMtonn,  ft  volcanic  eruption, 
an  earthquake,  or  a  peitilence,  have  been  ministers  of  ter- 
ror to  the  conscience,  and  meant  of  reformation  to  the  life. 

God  has  sometimes  overruled  a  dream,  a  vision,  the  death 
of  a  friend,  a  reverse  in  circumstances,  or  a  fit  of  sickness, 
to  the  good  of  careless  men:  but  my  mother  was  con- 
vinced of  her  lost  estate  by  reading  that  most  excellent 
bo(^,  Aliein^s  Alarm  to  the  Unconverted.  Surely,  if  good 
^raen,  safely  landed  in  the  haven  of  rest,  only  knew  the 
benefit  arising  from  their  pious  labours,  it  must  bring  a 
rich  and  increasing  addition  to  their  pure  -and  divine 
felicity. 

In  this  view,  a  writer  of  good  books  has  an  advan- 
tage over  one  who  only  preaches;  the  labours  of  the 
latter  cease  with  his  life,  and  sometimes  before  :  the  for- 
mer, dioughdead,  yetspeaketh:  and  continues  doing  good 
many  ages  after  bis  mortal  remains  have  mixed  with  the 
common  dust ;  his  usefulness  like  a  stream,  increases  as  it 
roHs  along  tiie  continent  of  time  to  the^ocean  of  eternity. 
Could  a  Baxter,  a  Bunyau,  or  an  Allein,  while  writing  l^ 
the  solitary  gloom  of  a  prison ;  could  they  have  foreseen 
the  immense  good  that  would  attend  their  labours,  surely 
it  would  have  illuminated  their  gloom,  and  warmed  their 
breasts  with  emotions  of  benevolent  delight.    ^ 

O  ye  venerable  men,  we  think  of  you  with  delight ; 
your  memories  are  like  ointment  poured  forth.  We  read 
your  works,  and  the  sentiment  thai  you  are  now  in  glory, 
St  .mps  a  i-icher  value  upon  your  godly  instructions. 

The  exercise!  of  my  distressed  mother  wer$  of  the  most 


K 


*^' 


■'^He^ 


JOSHUA   MARflDEX. 


u 


HT  MOTBXK  PtiUIfOED  INTO  OISPAIt. 


singular  kind ;  she  was  not  drawn  like  Lydia,  nor  melted 
like  Maiy;  a  deep  gioon  .fell  upon  her  spirits ;  her  pas- 
sions were  strongi  and,  like  a  nught^  current,  carried  her 
towards  the  vortex  of  despsdr;  the  apprehensioD  that  she 
had  sinned  beyond  the  Units  of  mercy  filled  her  soul  with 
the  liveliest  horrors;  the  language  she  used  on  this  occa- 
sion  was  the  most  aw^ul  that  can  be  imagined.  I  well  re- 
member many  of  her  words,  for  they  were  like  sharp 
spears  piercing  my  very  heart  I  would  bfive  given  the 
whole  universe  to  have  calmed  the  agitations  of  her  trou- 
bled breact.  She^i^nt  whole  nights  in  walking  the  houses 
wringing  her  hands,  stamping  with  her  feet,  and  frequently 
venting  her  emotions  in  language  gloomy  as  misery  itself, 
bitterly  bewailing  her  hi^less  state.  Many  times  have  I 
lain  trembling,  weeping,  and  sleepless,  for  hours,  distressed 
beyond  measure,  not  ifldeed  (at  my  own  sias,  but  on  ac- 
count of  the  melancholy  and  horrible  state  of  my  mother^s 
mind.  The  impressions  then  made  upon  my  imagination 
will  never  be  wh(^y  erased ;  and  I  am  persuaded,  that 
the  following  picture  was  stamped  upon  my  thoughts  from 
the  views  it  then  received  of  this  baleful  and  horrible 
passion. 


■.i''*^>' 


;  i  jft' 


In  terror  clad  the  Deity  is  seen, 
But  no  mild  intereeasor  standi  between ; 
The  gunty  M>ul,  and  sin-avenging  God, 
To  calm  his  fury  and  avert  bis  rod. 
With  terma  of  peace  fierce  wrath  to  .econcile, 
An^  bid  red  burning  Justice  wew  a  smile ; 
On  guilt  alone  this  deadly  night-shade  grows, 
Guilt,  fruitful  mother  of  our  many  woes. 
fear  springs  firom  guilt,  and  unbelief  from  fear, 
That  deems  all  lost,  this  reads  no  mercy  near. 
To  hapless  souls,  enda'd  with  passions  strong. 
These  hateful  ment«l  maladies  belong 

c  2 


.f^- 


r^ 


26 


MEMOIRS    OF 


THE  IfATUKE  AND  OAUSIS  Or  DKSPAIK. 


Sin  swells  inunense,  the  mounUin  magnifies, 

Ind- blots  the  star  of  mercy  from  the  skies. 

Each  fault  the  stamp  of  aggravation  bears, 

Each  stain  a  tint  of  deepest  crimson  wean ; 

Each  slip  in  fancy,  action,  thought,  or  word, 
-  ,;^^ .  :^      Stings  lilce  an  asp,  .or  pierces  like  a  sword, 

Wliile  dread  without,  and  terror  from  witlUo, 

Annex  a  direful  curse  to  every  sin. 
'■,^f<^^^i'.       Now  Satan  every  hrtlish  art  essays, 

T'  increase  the  storm  and  swell  the  angry  seas ; 

And  shifts  bis  fatal  tacli  from  side  to  side. 

To  raise  the  wretch's  fear,  or  swell  his  pride. 
^^.         God  might  a  little  fault  or  two  pass  by, 
.^     ^§m^       But  yours,  (observe  the  wily  tempter's  lie) 

Exceed  the  limits  of  almighty  grace. 

rhfist's  blood  can't  cleanse  them,  nor  thy  tears  elTaee; 

So  dire  the  offence,  the  stain  is  deep  as  hell,       IP'^ft! 

And  pardon  is  a  thing  impossible.  14    .  ^ 

The  promise  shines,  but  still  new  doubts  suggest,  *P'     - 
«.  I,  Grace  never  will  relume  the  sinner's  breast : 

And  here's  the  dreadful  worm  that  gnaws  within, 

The  doubtful,  dismal,  deadly,  daoming  sin. 

Doubts  rise  on  doubts,  and  fear  to  fear  succeeds,,  ^ 

Distress'd,  appal'd,  he  trembles  while  he  reads : 

Beholds  an  angry  curse  on  every  leaf,  **^  'f ' "  't  '#-*'' 

While  every  scripture  aggravates  his  grief:  jj^^ftl^-l  «l»i;  t  <«*  iJi 

Sin  after  grace  !— and  after  pardon  falls  ! 
.1^  If.   .1 V       The  fatal,  fearful  blasphemy  he  calls ; 

And  many  a  text  the  wily  fiend  will  cite, 

To  justify  the  lie,  and  prove  it  right 
>^  AU  comfort  from  the  sacred  volume  fled, 

'Tis  oast  aside,  and  snldom  ever  read; 

Or  only  read  to  aggravate  his  case. 

And  drive  the  exile  from  the  realms  of  grace. 

Silent  and  sad  the  live-long  day  he  sits, 

Absorb'd  in  thought,  like  one  bereft  of  wits : 
^  Lost  in  a  maze  of  dark  intricate  doubt,  ..^^  Hi.'?  'ifet^'  i**^  •=  ■ ,  ,vl  ,i%t 

%^^  Nostar  to  steer,  no  path  to  lead  him  out  '    ; 

.%,«,.  Embarras'd,  craz'd,  bewilder'd,  and  perplest,  ../ 

Peace  bleeds,  hope  dies,  and  wild  despair  comes  next. 

With  frightful  thoughts  his  fear-struck  fancy  teems, 
■  ,,.<,'::.'  And  images  of  wo  perplex  his  dreams. 

Prayer  is  abandon'd,  can  the  mind  aspire. 

When  hope  no  longer  feeds  the  sacred  fire  ? 
1  n  ■;\,         No  friends,  no  consolation  can  beguile, 

Or  gild  his  gloomy  features  with  a  smile- 
\  Lost  to  the  useful  world  and  all  its  cares  ^ 

;'-'■/       XiOBt  to  his  hooour,  profit,  and  affaire; 


A, 


IcJf 


% 


♦  • 


JOSHUA   MARBDEN. 


27 


DESPAIR  THE  WOMT  Or   ALL   MENTAL   MALAUIE8. 


^M 


tr 


■fV- !•*'.••■ 


ntKst 


A* 


Loit  to  the  sinlen  sweet  of  tranquil  life; 

Lost  to  his  parents,  children,  home,  ind  wife. 

His  hollow  eyes  with  wild  expressioD  ftare. 

His  haggard  looks  liespealc  corroding  care : 

His  soul  is  on  a  restless  ocean  tost. 

His  heart  congeal'd  with  everlasting  frost. 

Without  an  anchor,  pilot,  star,  or  helm, 

Tremendous  billows  threaten  to  o'erwhelm : 

The  scene  is  dismal,  and  the  slcy  o'ereast, 

Loud  roars  the  wave,  and  ttercely  howls  the  blast. 

Blue  guilt  qvUk  flashes  thro'  the  tortur'd  soul. 

And  deep  the  peals  of  angry  vengeance  roll : 

Lilie  swelling  seas  blam>hemou8  thoughts  arise. 

And  dash  their  impious  billows  'gainst  the  sicies. 

No  hand  to  help,  no  peaceful  haven  near. 

Fear  chills,  and  sullen  hate  succeeds  to  fear. 

Mercy  is  past,  the  wretched  sinner  cries, 

Mercy  is  past,  the  wily  fiend  replies; 

Mercy  is  past,  my  rebel  soul  is  curst, 

Justice,  strike  home,  and,  vengeance,  do  thy  worst 


Despair  is  the  most  deplorable  mental  malady  in  the 
world ;  whether  it  be  the  offspring  of  a  nervous  weak- 
ness, or  spring  solely  from  the  temptations  of  the  devil. 
It  fills  the  couutenzince  with  gloom,  and  the  heart  wHh 
corroding  melancholy;  it  perverts  the  divine  goodneis; 
casts  into  shade  all  the  precious  promises,  and  draws  a  i|^:< 
dark  veil  over  the  resplendent  glories  of  redeeming  love* 
Few  things  tend  more  to  harden  the  mind  and  disparage 
scriptural  piety,  whose  ways  are  pleasantness,  and  whoie 
delightful  paths  abound  with  peace.  Instead  of  beholding 
Deity  as  represented  in  his  holy  word,  the  despairing  eio* 
ner  forms  a  gloomy  picture  from  an  image  in  his  own  deB> 
ponding  and  uneasy  mind:  not  as  the  God  of  love,  whoie 
mercies  are  over  all  his  works;  who  delighteth  not  in  the  ^ 
death  of  a  sinner ;  but  an  ideal  monster,  compounded  of 
wrath,  fury,  malignity,  and  cruelty ;  somewhat  resembling 
the  terrible  Thor  of  our  Saxon  ancestors.    We  have  a 


^1 


28 


MEMOlRt  OF 


fi 


DISTRKBtES  OR  ACCOCST  Of  KT  MOTRIill'*  ITATK. 

=^=a=5s  '    !■  I •■■  "i-~mi"     mamittmm 


tut^mm^ 


painfiil  instauce  of  this  in  the  caie  of  that  noted  man 
Francis  Spira.*  "> 

*"■  My  mother  continued  in  this  itate  for  federal  months, 
irrestiog  the  scriptures  to  her  own  misery,  and  desperately 
skilful  in  collectii^  every  passage  in  the  sacred  book, 
against  whomsoever  levelled,  and  aiming  them  against  her 
own  breast.  Hence  our  Lord*s  uiipardonable  sin,  St. 
Paul's  feaifiil  falling  away,  St.  John's  sin  unto  death,  were 
as  fuel  to  the  flame  that  burned  within.  Mercy  appeared 
to  be  clean  gone,  and  all  light  vanished,  save  what  served 
to  show  the  horrors  of  her  situation.  I  have  known  her 
dash  the  Bible  on  the  floor,  and  in  an  agony  bordering 
upon  phrenzy  exclaim,  I  am  lost,  I  am  lost  for  ever,  lost ! 
lost!  lost! — No  one  can  conceive  the  distress  of  mind 
I  endured  on  her  account  I  sorrowed  for  my  mother, 
and  was  willing  to  become  miserable  that  she  might  be 
happy :  but  ale'  I  I  had  no  knowledge  of  my  own  state. 
My  feeling  were  exquisitely  tender  towards  an  earthly 
parent,  but  my  heart  was  as  hard  as  the  nether  millstone 
towards  thee,  my  God,  my  Father,  and  my  Friend. 

Alas !  that  the  human  heart  should  be  so  susceptible  of 
natural  sorrow,  and  yet  so  terribly  obdurate  towards  Ood 
and  things  of  infinite  moment.  We  weep  for  a  child,  a 
parent,  a  beloved  friend;  when  for  our  deep  offences 
against  a  pure,  holy,  and  merciful  Ood,  we  hardly  breathe 
a  sigh,  utter  a  groan,  or  shed  a  tear;  terrible  proof  of  the 
moral  hardness  and  depravity  of  the  human  heiirt. 


I     *,  »*!#».»   .P*  .,■?    W^-'- 


•".■V-'* 


.*ii? 


*  I  have  been  informed  that  it  was  the  opinion  of  tbtt  sreat  ud  good  mu, 
John  Wesley,  that  Francis  Spira  went  to  heaven.  Ponibly  be  had  better  rea- 
sons for  believing  this  than  I  am  acquainted  with,  for  I  BUM  conflNi,  hi/icaRf 
hu  tlwftyB  appeared  to  me  bobI  4vk  and  hopelen. 


,  t 


JOBHUA  MAR8DEN. 


20 


it  noted  mao 


LIOBT  AND  PEACE  DISSIPATE  HER  OLOOH. 

After  several  months  confioement  in  the  iron  castle  o 
deep  despair,  she  had  one  day  been  unusually  softened  in- 
to something  like  genuine  contrition,  and  had  sat  weeping 
till  she  fell  into  a  doze,  during  this  abstraction,  she  heard, 
as  she  supposed,  an  audible  voice  repJeat  the  words,  **  Be 
not  of  a  doubtful  mind."  She  rose  from  her  chair,  believ- 
ing some  one  had  spoke ;  but  there  was  no  person  in  the 
room.  She  felt  a  sensation  of  peace,  the  deep  darkness  of 
her  mind  was  dissipated,  and  rays  of  distant  hope  dawned 
upon  her  soul.  She  did  not  recollect  reading  the  passage ; 
nor  could  my  father,  my  sister,  or  myself,  remember  we 
bad  ever  seen  it ;  its  effects  were,  however,  pleasingly 


visible. 


ftA    i,     JStWc^^S  r  <»>i     ,*, 


From  that  blest  moment,  all  emotioiu  cease, 
.  ii'llU&^i  .  Her  troubled  spirit  found  a  sudden  peace ; 
,     .  t  .        Aa  by  a  calm,  the  waves  of  grief  subside, 
'^  :  ^^1P^  Impetuous  passions  top  their  headlong  tide.     Mas.  Baibauld. 

From  what  principle  can  we  account  for  this  change  ? 
was  it  a  illusion  of  sleep?  could  this  eradicate  a  deep- 
i-ooted  malady  in  the  bottom  of  the  soul  ?  but  she  persisted 
that  she  was  not  asleep ;  but  as  sensible  during  the  time 
as  though  wide  awake. — Was  it  a  creature  of  the  imagina- 
tion ?  could  imagination  have  imparted  so  sweet  a  peace  ? 
could  mere  fancy  create  so  divine  a  change  ?  rather  was 
it  not  the  voice  of  him  that  speaketh  in  dreams  and  visions 
of  the  night  ?  the  still  small  voice  that  whispers  love ;  that 
voice  which  calmeth  the  raging  of  the  sea,  that  stilleth 
the  noise  of  the  billows,  and  that  by  a  divine  and  peculiar 
energy  carri^th  peace  to  the  inmost  recesses  of  the  trou- 
bled conscience.  And .  can  we  wonder  that  God  should 
have  this  influence  over  the  human  heart  ?  cannot  he,  who 

■"       '      ».■-,..■.-•..  .„■  ■    ,,     .  •-  ,  ■■V'     ■  .       .       ■    ' 


t 


MEMOIRS   OF 


JCSTiriCATION  THE  TBKKSHOLD  OP  KBblOIOM. 


* «  hath  power  to  wind  up  the  feelings  to  the  highest  pitch  of 
distress,  drop  into  the  agitated  soul  the  consolation  of 
hope,  and  the  peace  of  remission  ?  but  be  the  cause  never 
so  remote,  mysterious,  and  equivocal,  the  effects  were 
most  beneficial;  she  was  visited  with  that  serenity  of 
mind,  and  devout  earnestness,  which  was  not  only  a  bles- 
sing to  herself)  but  a  Angular  satisfaction  to  every^  branch 


•V  ;.V^-T-^'-.7^,^  i 


of  the  femily»'-^:^f;::g;*i^m  '|-»?F-  »*'f^Y"'  •'^•^r     ^m^- 

In  speaking  of  the  divine  change  which  my  mother  fell) 
I  would  net  become  the  unqualified  advocate  for  ever) 
impulse  of  the  mind,  much  less  would  I  dignify  them  with 
the  high  and  honourable  appellation  of  getting  religion. 

,,We  speak  of  getting  religion  at  a  prayer-meeting,  a 
camp-meeting,  a  class-meeting,  &c.  but  I  would  here  ask, 
is  not  religion  a  holy)  humble  walking  with  God  ?  is  it 
not  rather  the  saint's  daily  practice,  than  the  soul's  single 
act  ?  Is  not  religion  the  conformity  of  our  lives  to  the  ex- 
ample and  word  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  Is  it  not  a  gracious  ha- 
bit, and  holy  conversation  of  the  Christian  ?  But  are 
habits  got  in  a  moment  ?  is  a  step,  a  walk,  or  an  act,  a 
practice  ?  The  deepest  and  most  rooted  errors  in  the 
world,  have  generally  risen  from  small  beginnings.  We 
should  be  careful  that  we  speak  the  truth  which  is  ac- 
cording to  godliness,  and  hold  fast  the  form  of  sound 
words  committed  to  us  by  the  holy  apostles.  ■"■■^-■rp 

A  sinner  may  be  pardoned  and  justified  in  a  moment,'' 
and  this  may  take  place  either  at  a  prayer  or  camp-meet- 
iog;  but  surely  none  ought  to  say,  this  is  getting  religion : 
we  might  as  well  call  the  seed  sown,  the  harvest,  or  a 
newly  planted  sapling,  a  full  bearing  fruit-tree.  Is  there 
■0  danger  that  the  seed  perish  in  the  earth  for  want  of 


\ 


..•■«,  .v, 


JOSHUA   MAE8DEN. 


TRAOIOAb  AKO  MTSTBKIOVB  DEATB  Of  MT    ■■OTHKR. 


care,  aod  the  ■•pliog  become  as  fruitless  as  the  barren  lig«  "^ 
tree.  Let  ms  never  suppose  the  putting  on  the  armour  b 
winning  the  battle,  or  laying  aside  our  we^hts  that  we 
may  run,  accomplishii^  the  race  itself.  Truly  all  reli- 
gion must  have  a  beginning ;  but  we  do  not  c&ll  the  child 
an  active  man,  nor  the  recent  apprentice  an  able  artist. 
How  much  better  to  say,  as  our  brethren  in  Europe,  to  get 
converted,  find  peace  with  God,  or  obtain  a  divine  change 
of  heart :  this  is  both  more  agreeable  to  scripture,  and  also 
to  christian  experience,  than  the  other,  unless  we  can  prove 
that  a  part  is  the  whole,  and  an  act  of  faith  the  whole  prac- 
tice of  a  Christian.  ,j^fe£*«3l^v1i^^  t»«#»<   ■ 

It  was  not  long  after  my  mother  obtained  a  manifesta- 
tion of  divine  peace,  before  the  new-bom  tranquillity  of 
her  mind  was  called  to  a  most  severe  and  distressing  test 
My  brother,  who  resided  in  another  place,  the  family's 
hope,  and  the  darling  of  his  parents,  was  cut  off  in  a  most 
mysterious  and  singular  manner.  He  had  been  at  the 
funeral  of  a  respectable  young  female  whom  he  loved,  and 
to  whom  he  was  engaged.  It  was  in  the  depth  of  winter. 
They  returned  from  the  village  where  she  was  interred 
after  night-fall :  him  they  missed  on  the  road ;  but  thought 
he  lingered  behind  to  indulge  his  sorrowful  sensations. 
Next  day  hb  horse  returned;  but  no  rider.  Some 
friends  trent  in  search  of  him:  he  was  found  lying  on 
his  face  in  a  meadow;  but  the  vital  spirit  was  for  ever 
fled.  As  no  marks  of  violence  were  found  upon  his  body, 
it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  anguish  of  his  spirit  over- 
came the  animal  system,  and  he  died  of  a  broken  heart. 
A  deep  and  mysterious  veil  rests  upon  his  death,  which  will 
probably  never  be  removed  till  that  morn  shall^rise  tjtat 


r. 


*'' 


.rr. 


32 


MEMOIRS  OF 


THS  DEATH   OF  MT  rATHBR— AN    K0MK8T  MAIT. 


.  '■r■^■.. 


csBts  fuU  day  on  the  darkest  sceaet  of  time<  How 
many  secrets  will  the  day  of  judgmeat  unfold,  that  are 
now.  hid  from  the  brightest  intelligence  upon  earth. 

*'"  .  Not  dflflply  to  discern,'  not  much  to  know, 

Mankind  were  born  to  wonder  and  adore.  TonHo. 

Woes  came  in  clusters :  my  father  died  a  little  while 
after  my  brother.  He  was  a  quiet,  sensible,  honest, 
man.  Of  his  religious  character  I  have  less  to  say :  I 
am  afraid  he  was  a  stranger  to  vital  piety  till  he  lay  upon 
his  death-bed.  Some  pious  leaders  and  members  of  the 
Methodist  Society  then  visited  and  prayed  with  him ;  he 
appeared  to  bear  his  affliction  with  resignation,  and  I 
hope  he  died  in  peace.  ^^fii'^^t-^^i.^-^s^-:'fi^..-iiuf.A ^•'*^.i^ 

God  spoke  in  these  calamities,  but  I  was  deaf  to  his 
voice ;  the  rod  was  brandished  over  my  head,  but  I  did 
not  regard  it :  hence,  though  bereaved  of  an  earthly  pa- 
rent, I  sought  not  to  give  myself  up  to  the  Lord;  nor 
could  I  see  in  his  judgments  either  sufficient  reasons  of 
repentance  or  reformation. 

Though  not  fifteen  yeai^s  old,  I  was  infatuated  by  sin, 
and  drawn  down  the  vertex  of  evil  example.  Frequent- 
ly have  I  spent  most  of  the  night  in  playing  cards,  and  so 
much  had  these  amulets  of  the  Devil  bewitched  me,  that  I 
thought  and  studied  about  little  ebe.  I  call  cards  amu- 
lets of  the  Devil,  because  they  are  very  bewitching: 
they  produce  a  habit  of  gaming,  ruin  the  moral  character, 
and  tend  greatly  to  injure  the  health;  they  turn  night  in> 
to  day,  spoil  the  temper,  and  take  the  mind  away  from 
useful  studies  and  laudable  occupations :  by  them  the 
heart  is  corrupted  and  filled  with  dishonest  chicanery  and 

trick.    What  trifles  can  be  less  worthy  the  attention  of  an 

*    ■  •.»■■■' 

.    r 


t 


I, 


J0SHU4    MARRDKN. 


33 


FATAL  trrECTiJ   01    CARD*    A:<l>  DANCINO. 


immortal  being  ?  If  the  great  rule  of  our  conduct  be  the 
word,  and  the  end  of  our  actions  the  glory,  of  Ood,  from 
what  part  of  scripture  cnn  we  support  this  trifling  away 
and  killing  time  ?  In  what  shape  can  amusements  of  this 
kind  promote  God's  glory  ?  Should  we,  in  the  presence 
of  Ood,  under  the  apprehension  of  death,  or  with  the  re- 
alities of  the  final  judgment  in  view,  sit  down  and  delibe- 
rately play  cards  ?  O  that  the  defenders  of  this  silly, 
pernicious  amusement,  would  examine  the  subject  in  the 
light  of  reason,  scripture,  and  eternity.  -' 

Dancing  was  another  practice  into  which  I  was  drawn 
by  wicked  companions,  contrary  to  the  advice,  and  with- 
out the  knowledge  of  my  pious  mother.  In  the  pursuit  of 
this  fashionable  folly,  my  morals  became  daily  more  cor- 
rupt, and  my  conscience  so  sleepy,  that  I  often  told  my  mo- 
ther the  most  glaring  falsehoods  respecting  where  and  how 
I  had  spent  the  night.  O  what  a  fearful  descent  is  there 
in  vice !  At  first  we  start  and  tremble  on  the  brink ;  our 
consciences  are  alarmed ;  we  revolt  from  great  sins-»we 
commit  smaller:  the  conscience  is  deadened;  we  take 
courage :  another  step,  the  trembling  soul  is  less  afraid — 
we  conquer  our  repugnance  by  repeating  the  offence,  till 
finally  we  reduce  to  a  habit,  that  which  at  first  we  could 
not  do  without  great  remorse  in  the  act.     '   ""      '  ''':'^^ 

t  jfhe  first  emotions  of  tho  human  will, 


'.f^'V 


''<*^  "Are  like  descending  from  ■  lofty  liiU  j  ^*^*' 
t>v         At  first  with  cautious  slowness  we  proceed, 

But  as  we  progress  forward,  mend  our  speed : 
f  Swifter  and  swifter,  lo !  we  run,  we  tly, 

Tilt  cboice  is  chang'd  to  sad  necenitj. 


^■2 


.\,  .. 


Or,  as  Pope  says,  we  pity  first,  next  hug,  and  then  em- 
brace.    ^-  -Hl^Kr><tX-i^- ;  ■  ^  'fy^  •.^''    -h-  yai^a^^    i-i^,  'h  ■ ' : ;  ^^v  ^ 


•   tit.    'JV»**- 


M:-- 


34 


JITEMOIRS  OV  mi. 


=51= 


PLUNOEO   BT  WICSEDyCOMPANY   INTO  VABIOUS  SINS 


* 


I  was  now  familiar  with  the  first  stages  of  a  lifie  of 
finiiihed  UDgodliaess,  aod  wanted  little  but  the  finish  of  in- 
fidelity to  make  the  picture  complete.    To  my  mother, 

4i^  the  best  of  parejltS)  I  was  shockiogly  disobedient :  to 
'4M|ch  a  degree,  that  I  have  often  used  insulting  language 
and  refused  to  comply  with  the  most  reasonable  requests, 
though  they  found  an  advocate  in  my  guilty  and  polluted 
canscience.  Sometimes  I  esteemed  it  a  misfortune  to 
have  a  pious  parent:  I  wished  to  think  religious  people 
IV ere  all  hypocrites,  that  I  might  have  a  greater  excuse 
for  neglecting  piety.    The  company  of  some  who  did  not 

'  regard  their  parents,  greatly  hardened  me  in  disobedience. 

^^  Truly  may  it  be  said  that  our  manners  are  formed  by  tlip 
company  we  keep.  O  how  greatly  are  the  morals  of 
many  hopeful  boys  endangered,  by  sufferiDg  tliem  to  as- 
sociate with  idle,  wicked,  and  profane  lads.  With  these 
I  often  rambled  all  night  through  the  town;  went  to 
horbe-races,  wakes,  dances ;  attended  the  playhouse,  and 
soften  frequented  taverns.  I  several  times  got  intoxicated 
^irith  spirituous  liquors;  was  proficient  in  sioging  profane 
songs;  and,  to  show  my  wicked  associates  that  i  had  as 
little  religion  as  themselves,  would  frequently  swear  and 
use  profane  language.  In  some  senses  I  was  reckoned  a 
brave  fellow  among  them;  a  kind  of  foremost  man,  as  I 
was  high-spirited,  and  would  fight  to  defend  or  protect  any 
of  my  wicked  colleagues :  so  that  they  viewed  my  cou- 
rage with  a  kind  of  fear,  and  esteemed  my  friendship  a 
sort  of  protection.  I  rarely  went  into  a  place  of  worship 
^.,  ?excjeptto  make  a  disturbance  or  to  lounge  away  the  time. 
I  could  now  sport  with  the  infirmities  of  God's  people,  and 
relish  ft  joke  though  at  the  expense  of  religion.      "" 

9'. 


JOSUVA   MAB8DEN.         ^: 


35 


LEATiaO    PRATER,   LAUITCHED   MORI  AND   MORE  INTO   SIN.   , 


I  had  been  accustomed  to  make  some  kind  of  prayer'''* 
morning  and  night ;  but  this  now  became  too  severe  a  task, 
and  I  laid  it  aside  aitogether.  Sometimes  the  warnings  of 
my  mother  irritated  my  conscience  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  fill  me  with  a  sort  of  temporary  madness;  and  then  the 
volcano  within  would  burst  out,  first  in  reflection,  and 
tlien  in  disobedient  and  resentful  expressions.  Little)  my 
adorable  Redeemer,  little  did  I  think,  that  I  was  then  per- 
secuting and  reproaching  thee  in  the  person  of  thy  peo- 
ple !  Forgive  me  all  my  ungodly  deeds,  and  O  foigive 
me  all  my  hard  speeches. 


■H^jf 


^'^^ 


And  now  forgive  my  sins  confess'd,  deplor'd, 
Against  thine  image  in  thy  saints,  O  Lord ! 


She  would  reason,  plead,  remonstrate,  and  warn ;  but 
I  had  neither  eays  to  hear,  nor  eyes  to  see.     My  pious 
mother  would  weep ;  but  my  stony  heart  did  not  relent.! 
Sometimes  in  secret  I  was  deeply  grieved  at  the  recol]ec*V 
tion  of  my  conduct;  but  Satan  would  not  allow  his  votary' 
to  reflect.    I  feared  going  to  hell,  and  yet  by  a  kind  of 
arithmetical  despair,  I  would  calculate  upon  going  there. 
I  was  in  some  sense  a  fatalist,  and  thought.  Well,  if  I  am 
to  be  lost,  I  may  as  well  go  on  in  sin ;  and  then  with  a 
kind  of  hardened  pride,  like  Milton's  Satan, 


So  fareiveU  hope,  and  with  hope  fturewell  fear, 
Farewell  remorse,  all  good  to  me  is  lost ; 
Evil,  be  thou  my  good. 


Nevertheless,  every  new  step  in  wickedness  was  a  kind 
of  violence  offered  to  my  conscience,  which  ever  and  anon 
rang  such  a  larum  in  the  ears  of  my  soul,  as  made  me,  if 


-V 


.#*\ 


4 


36 


MEMOIRS  OF 


3fte 


VICE   IS  THE   CAUSE   OP  MISERY — PIETT  OF   PEACE. 


posBible,  more  miserable  thau  I  had  made  myself  vile.  O 
ivhat  a  drudgery  is  the  practice  of  sin !  Truly  might  the 
wise  man  say,  "  The  way  of  transgressors  is  hard,"  and  the 
heathen,  nemo  malo  felix,  **  no  wicked  man  is  happy."  It 
is  seriously  to  be  questioned,  whether  a  guilty  conscience, 
with  all  its  appendages  of  fears,  remorses,  glooms,  stings, 
anticipated  hells,  and  miniature  judgments,  be  not  harder 
to  bear  than  all  the  crosses,  trials,  denials,  afflictions,  con- 
tradictions, and  difficulties  of  a  life  of  piety.  It  is,  to  bo 
sure,  hard  to  do  violence  to  corrupt  nature ;  but  is  it  not 
hard,  on  the  other  hand,  to  do  violence  to  conscience,  rea- 
son, and  the  dictates  of  God's  Spiiit  in  the  heart.      ^*'^ 

▼edeo  meliora  proboquc 
Deteriora  sequor. 


$■ 


I  see  the  right,  and  I  approve  it  too, 
Condenm  the  wrong,  and  yet  the  wrong  pursue. 


-»**,'.  [f  i.jt-j.Vv 


Every  one  has  heard  the  story  of  Araspes  telling  Cyrus 
that  he  had  two  souls  at  war  within.  And  while  the  heaven- 
born  principle  is  opposed,  checked,  and  fought  against, 
tlie  miserable  individual  is  making  war  upon  his  own 
peace.  On  the  contrary,  the  sweetness  of  self-denial  is  su- 
perior to  the  pleasures  of  sin,  gives  a  silent,  inward,  ra- 
tional delight,  pure  as  the  silver  moon>beam,  and  calm  as 
the  heavens,  of  which  it  is  an  emanation.  But  the  horror 
of  remorse  lives,  when  the  criminal  pleasure  is  past ;  and 
even  in  this  world  takes  ample  vengeance  on  the  victim  of 
guilty  passions  and  ungodly  deeds.  The  christian  may 
count  the  cost,  and  look  forward  with  composure  and 
peace  to  the  immortal  reward :  but  if  the  sinner  count  the 
cost,  he  must  be  the  miserable  supporter  of  prospective 
wretchedness  and  reversionary  misery. 


.      :M    I    >■ 


JOSHUA   MAR8DEN. 


37 


GOOD   MINISTERS   A  GREAT     1LEB8INO. 


I  ivonder  not  that  brave  Colonel  Gardiner  should  say 
while  trampling  upon  the  rights  of  conscience,  and  violating 
tlie  laws  of  God,  that  he  was  often  so  miserable,  he 
would  gladly  have  exchanged  conditions  with  the  most 
degraded  brute  animal:  this  was  my  case  while  living 
without  God.  I  sometimes  felt  more  wretched  than  I 
have  words  to  express,  and  plunged  frequently  into 
folly,  merely  to  drown  the  sense  of  my  misery. 

From  the  time  my  mother  became  truly  serious,  she 
joined  herself  to  the  church  of  England,  and  attended  the 
ministry  of  a  Mr.  G.  The  zeal  of  this  faithful  man  was  not 
unworthy  of  the  sacred  cause ;  heuce  she  greatly  prufltcd 
both  by  his  public  and  private  labours.  This  upright 
and  zealous  man  did  not  think  it  enough  merely  to  preaoh 
once  or  twice  on  the  Lord's-day ;  he  was  instant  in  seasoo 
and  out  of  season;  preaching  thrice  on  the  sabbath; 
lecturing  on  Tuesday  evening,  and  meeting  once  a  week 
for  private  religious  instruction,  the  serious  part  of  his 
charge.  Happy  would  it  be  for  religion  and  the  church  of 
England,  if  this  plan  were  adopted  by  all  her  ministers. 
She  would  then  be  the  glory  of  all  churches  ,*  and  Ood 
would  be  the  glory  of  her. 

t-^iFrom  the  labours  of  this  evangelical  preacher,  my  mo- 
ther more  and  more  imbibed  the  spirit  of  religion ;  her 
prayers  were  fervent,  often  breathed  forth  with  strong 
cries  and  tears;  her  zeal  in  reproving  sin  was  uninfluen- 
ced by  worldly  motives,  and  hei  desire  to  promote  my  eternal 
salvation  became  daily  more  ardent,  till  weary  of  reproof, 
and  growing  more  wicked  as  my  godly  mother  became 
pious,  I  left  home,  and  went  with  some  others  of  my  wild 
companions  on  board  a  ehip  of  war. 

D  2 


-# 


.  VK"*'  t- 


38 


MCMOIRB   OF 


SISOBESICIfCE  TO  rARENTM  rUlll«HED  IN  THIS  WORLD. 


Frcm    the  time  of  my  g$ing  to  Sea,  till  the  period 
.  when  Ood  first  UlumruUed  my  mind  with  the  light  of 
divine  truth. 


i, 


"^  How  regardless  are  wicked  boys  of  the  feelings  and  af- 

fections of  a  parent.  How  rashly  will  they  plunge  a 
thousand  daggers  in  a  tender  mother's  breaet :  that  mother 
whose  life  has  been  devoted  to  their  comfort,  who  has 
watched  them  with  the  most  lively  solicitude,  nursed  them 
with  the  tenderest  care,  whose  feelhig  heart  has  bled  at 
at  their  pains,  wept  over  their  sorrows,'  and  has  known 

y,*  oo  joy  separate  irom  their  welfare.  That  affectionate 
parent,  whose  life  is  bound  up  in  her  offspring;  that  tender 
mother  is  put  to  a  thousand  tortures  by  the  disobedience, 
the  hard-heartedness,  and  obstinacy  of  an  undutiful  child ; 
who  having  treated  her  with  want  of  filial  respect,  abused 

,\  .  her  kindness,  repulsed  her  tenderness,  and  harassed  her 
patience,  6.aally  Mes  her  liouse,  lier  sight,  her  pro- 
tection, to  be  punished  for  undutiful  conduct  and  base  in- 
gratitude by  the  coldness  of  strangers,  the  rudeness  of 
churls,  un<)  the  ferocity  of  ruffians.  I  had  often  threat- 
ened iiiy  pious  mother  that  I  would  go  to  sea,  and  had 
several  times  left  home  with  the  full  intention  of  going  a 
voyage  to  the  coast  of  Guinea.  My  restless  mind  and  rov- 
ing disposition  burned  with  impatience  to  see  foreign  climes. 
Some  of  my  companions  had  gone;  and  those  who  having 
, .  returned,  boasted  of  what  they  had  known  and  seen  $  were 
#  looked  upon  by  me  with  much  greater  deference  than 
others ;  buthitherto  something  had  always  interposed :  yet 

*■■'  ■      in  the  baseness  of  tnj  disobedience,  I  still  held  it  ib  teror^ 


'%'■ 


iOSHUA   MABBbE^. 


30 


WICKEDNESS  OF  MANY  SEAFAHISO  M£K. 


um  whenever  my  mother  trended  me  by  a  reproof,  or 
mortified  me  with  a  denial.  Alai!  I  was  (though  only 
seventeen)  become  deeply  wicked;  but  ray  oieans  of 
wickedness  did  not  correspond  with  my  depraved  capaci- 
ties ;  I  wanted  a  wider  field,  a  fuller  rac^e.  Ah,  how  par 
tient  is  God  not  to  cut  down  such  mad  rebels  in  the  midst 
of  their  folly !  as  I  had  cast  oflf  his  fear,  and  plunged  into 
a  variety  of  things  over  which  purity  must  cast  a  vail.    ■* 

■4- 


;       ,        I  never  then  my  God  addressed, 
rilm^lf^^In  grateful  praise,  or  humble  prayer; 
*,,.  -Mu^'-^t  And  if  his  word  was  not  xpy  jest, 
,  .,t<  -^pfsiy  aniy  (Dread  thought)  it  never  was  my  care. 


.«** 


Crabbs. 


f 


At  last  the  hour  arrived  when  I  must  be  punished  for 
my  wickedness,  and  beaten  with  my  own  rod;  perhaps 
this  was  as  good  a  punishment  as  the  reacting  providence 
of  God  could  have  brought  upon  me;  and  as  it  seemed  to 
grow  out  of  my  sin,  I  could  read  the  hand- writing  upon 
the  wall  in  the  midst  of  my  difficulties ;  the  wild  ass's 
colt  was  completely  curbed,*  and  by  how  much  I  had 
been  wicked  before,  by  so  much  was  I  punished  now, 
measure  for  measure :  here  I  saw  profanenens  in  all  its 
diabolical  characters,  and  mixed  with  men  rude  as  the 
rock,  and  boisterous  as  the  storm — good  school  for  experi- 
ence, but  a  shocking  seminary  for  vice.  I  do  not  wonder 
that  Dr.  Johnston  should  give  a  prismi  the  preference  of 
a  ship  of  war;  as  there  are  several  points  in  which  the 
subject  will  admit  a  close  parallel :  a  prison  introduces 
you  into  a  mixed  multitude,  some  middling,  and  others  des-  ^ 
perately  wicked;  but  all  in  general  destitute  of  true  re-  ' 
ligion.  A  prison  is  a  state  of  close  confinement,  hard  la- 
bour, and  sometimes  severe  puuishmeots.    la  a  prison  the 


>f  Vf.' 


m 


•"■S 


■>!  --T     ■■■■^  '  -   -.•;,  ■  - 


40 


MEMOIRS  OP 


SHIP  COMPARED  TO   A   PRIIOM — PEW  PIOUS  CAPTAINS. 


most  severe  discipline  is  used  to  keep  the  prisoners  in  awe; 
the  jailors  are  sometimes  tyrants,  and  the  penalties  severe. 
Men  will  on  every  occasion  run  from  a  prison ;  nay,  they 
sometimes  even  rise  upon  their  keepers.      A  prison  sepa- 

;  rates  you  from  the  rest  of  mankind,  and  hindei-s  you  from 
conversing  with  any  but  the  unhappy  inmates  of  your  cour 
finement.  In  all  these  points,  the  subject  may  be  applied 
to  a  ship  of  war.  Doubtless  there  are  some  good  ships, 
and  excellent  commanders.  I  myself  have  known  several 
pious  captains  in  the  merchant  service,  and  have  heard  of  a 
few  belonging  to  ships  of  war;  but  alas,  the  odds  are  so 
much  on  the  other  side  as  to  give  the  subject,  in  gperal, 
a  very  gloomy,  and  unpromising  aspect.  I  was.  some- 
time on  board  the  Nassau  64,  afterwards  lost  on  the  coaat 
of  Holland,  with  many  of  her  crew ;  prior  to  which  I  was 
sent  with  some  others  on  board  of  the  beautiful  frigate 
Amethyst,  then  fitting  out  in  Portsmouth  harbour;  this 
vessel  had  been  taken  from  the  French,  and  Wi  s  then  pre. 
paring  to  cruise  against  het  old  masters.  Here  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  contemplating  a  complete  collection,  of  rebels 
against  God  and  piety,  from  the  captain  to  the  cabin  boys. 

.    I  do  not  recollect  that  there  was  one  person  on  board  who 

*  either  truly  feared  his  Maker,  or  worked  righteousness, 
and  yet  the  crew  consisted  of  nearly  three  hundred  fine 
Ir  young  men,  many  of  them  fit  for  any  service ;  but  alas, 
wicked,  daring,  and  profane.  We  had  not  so  much  as 
the  shadow  of  a  chaplain ;  no,  nor  yet  any  religious  ser- 
vice on  the  Lord's  day :  hence,  is  it  to  be  wondered  at, 
that  blasphemy,  gambling,  drunkenness,  and  other  wicked- 
ness, were  carried  to  an  enormous  extent  ?  And  not  even 

'    the  mention  of  religion  to  check  the  torrent  of  iniquity. 


JOSHUA  MARSDBN. 


» 


CHUISINO   ON  TBI   PBKNCH   COAST,   MET   A   SEVEKE  OALE. 


It  is  not  a  random  or  harsh  czpreseion  to  bkj,  that  such  a 
man  of  war  is  a  floatiogjiiell. 

As  this  was  eighteen  years  ago,  there  may  be  some  hap- 
py changes  for  the  better  now.  The  officers  may  not  set 
so  profane  an  example :  each  ship  may  be  furnished  with 
a  faithful  and  zealous  chaplain :  the  captains  may  prohibit 
swearing  under  certain  penalties :  the  men  may  be  sup- 
plied with  bibles  and  religious  tracts :  the  Sabbath  may  be 
more  regularly  observed :  the  custom  of  admitting  ua« 
chaste  females  on  board  may  be  prohibited  altogether ;  and 
the  men,  encouraged  by  t?<e  example  of  their  officers,  may 
be  moral,  regular,  and  orderly. 

Our  station  was  to  cruize  off  the  coast  of  France,  peep 
into  the  French  harbours,  and  annoy  their  trade  as  much 
as  possible ;  we  continued  in  company  with  other  frigatet 
in  this  career  till  December  1 796,  when  we  put  into  Tor- 
bay  for  wood  and  water.  We  sailed  on  the  28th  of  the 
same  month,  and  the  following  evening  were  overtaken 
with  a  severe  gale  of  wind,  which  continued  through  the 
whole  of  as  dark  and  dismal  a  night  as  was  perhaps  ever 
experienced.  A  part  of  the  first  watch  some  of  the  crew  were 
allowed  to  be  below.  I  lay  down  in  my  hammock,  and  im- 
mediately started  up  with  the  terrific  dream  that  the  ship  had 
struck  on  a  rock.  At  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  this  pre- 
sentiment was  realized ;  we  were  then  going  before  Uie  wind, 
which  was  blowing  a  gale,  the  sky  thick  and  rainy,  and  the 
roaring  of  the  waves  horrible ;  the  vessel  with  close  reefed 
topsails  was  dashing  rapidly  through  the  boiling  foam,  and 
as  she  descended  a  sea,  she  struck  with  a  most  tremeo* 
dous  crash  upon  a  reef.  O  how  did  that  shock  pierce  the 
hearts  of  all  on  board !    Instantly  all  was  confusion,  solici" 


42 


MIHOIRS  OF 


■fi- 


s^±^ 


'ship  in  distress — CONSTERNATION  Of  TKK  ORKW, 


tilde,  and  despair.  The  night  dismallf  dark)  the  wild 
wind  roaring  furioasly,  the  sea  all  in  a  foam,  and  our  gal- 
lant ship  dashing  upon  the  rocks,  formed  a  scene  of  sub- 
lime and  terrible  distress,  worthy  of  the  pen  of  Salvator 
Rosa.  Ah,  what  a  change  was  this  from  the  preceding 
day.  AH  was  then  mirth,  riot,  and  drunkenness;  but 
death  now  stared  us  in  the  face.  Even  our  profane  boat- 
swain, (a  profaner  never  lived  in  the  suburbs  of  the  bottom- 
less pit)  cried  in  the  most  lamentable  manner,  **  Lord,  have 
mercy  upon  me ;  we  are  all  lost." 

Whence  is  it  that  in  times  of  danger  the  human  heart 
naturally  turns  to  God  as  its  only  refuge  ?  for  even  mari- 
ners, who  are  often  the  profanest  and  most  atheistical  of  be- 
ings, will  then  call  upon  God,  and  thus  acknowledge  his< 
power  over  the  elements,  his  omnipresence,  and  his  provi- 
dence. Perhaps  it  is  the  natural  tendency  of  adversity  to 
drive  us  to  take  refuge  in  the  arms  of  a  being  possessed  of  uner- 
ring wisdom,  communicative  goodness,  and  boundless  power. 

In  the  midst  of  oiur  calamity,  when  we  had  reason  to  fear 
that  every  moment  would  be  our  last,  a  tremendous  surge 
lifted  us  over  the  ledge,  and  we  once  more  rested  on  the 
bosom  of  the  waves ;  if  that  could  be  any  consolation  in  a 
sinking  ship  on  a  stormy  sea,  and  surrounded  with  dark- 
ness and  tempest.  When  our  carpenter  sounded  the  well, 
his  report  was  hardly  Ihss  dismal  than  the  death-warrant 
of  a  criminal  who  has  been  just  looking  for  a  reprieve. 
The  chain  and  hand-pumps  were  all  manned  with  an  ala- 
crity that  promised  we  should  not  go  to  the  bottom  if  la- 
bour could  prevent  it ;  but  every  eflfort  to  gain  upon  the 
water  was  in  vain ;  it  prevailed,  and  the  ship  appeared  to 
be  sinking  very  fast,  as  the  water  was  in  the  hold  nearly 


"^.^ 


JOSHUA  M1R80KM. 


48 


IN  TIME  or  DAIfOER  MT  SIK  FOUND  HE  OVT. 


Up  to  the  combings  of  the  hatchway.  Sails  were  let  down 
under  the  bows  to  try  to  stop  the  leak.  The  guns,  anchors, 
and  boats,  were  all  thrown  overboard^  save  one  of  each, 
and  thk  seemed  to  lighten  us  a  little.  Fresh  vigour  seem- 
ed to  inspire  every  exertion;  and  many  were  employed  in 
bailing  the  water  from  the  hatchway.  The  moments  ap- 
peared at»  hours,  and  dismal  anxiety  was  depicted  upon 
every  face.  .  4 

For  my  own  part,  I  gave  up  all  as  lost ;  and  while  not 
employed  in  pumping,  leaned  my  head  upon  a  part  of  the 
vessel ;  the  horrors  of  my  situation  fell  upon  my  spirits 
like  a  black  cloud.  I  could  not  pray ;  the  heavens  ap- 
peared like  brass ;  the  earth  as  iron,  and  my  heart  as  a 
nether  millstone.  The  ghosts  of  my  past  sins  stalked  be- 
fore me  in  ghastly  forms ;  and  a  srase  of  my  disobedience, 
folly,  and  wickedness,  stung  me  to  the  quick.  Ah  me^  I 
would  have  given  millions  of  worlds  to  have  had  one  hope 
of  mercy.  The  prospect  of  a  watery  grave,  and  a  plunge 
into  a  sti)l  deeper  gulf,  drank  up  all  my  spirits.  I  was  pe- 
trified to  stone ;  and  had  scarcely  any  feelings  but  of  the 
deepest  misery.  ,    st 

In  this  state  of  mind  I  continued  till  the  appearance  of 
light :  O  welcome  light ;  never  did  a  Greenlander  salute  thee 
with  more  gratitude;  never  did  a  Mexican  hail  thee  with 
greater  pleasure,  than  the  poor  forlorn  crew  of  the  sinking 
Amethyst  on  that  long-wished  for  morning.  Reader,  if 
ever  thou  hast  been  in  a  sinking  ship,  on  a  dark  night,  and 
stormy  ocean,  thou  mayest  realize  our  feelings.  The 
morning  dawned,  but  we  saw  no  land.  All  was  again 
gloomy  sadness  and  sullen  despair :  pale,  silent  desponden- 


*-t 


MBMOIRS  OF 


RUN   TH£  BHIP  Oil  ^     Risr  OH   THE  ISLE  OF   ALUKRNET. 


.r 


>;   ..• 


ej  sat  upon  the  faces  of  the  officers ;  and  some  of  the  men 
wrapping  themselves  up  io  their  hammocks,  with  stoical 
apathy,  seemed  reconciled  to  a  watery  grave.  /^^^  ^  .^^t 
.^].vlt  was  not  supposed  that  the  ship  would  swim  more  than 
an  hour  longe|«i  every  lurd^.  brought  her  deeper  in  the  wa^ 
ter,  and  every  wave  seemed  the  one  commissioned  to  in- 
gulph  us  in  the  bowels  of  the  deep ;  when,  to  our  inex> 
pressible  satisfaction,  the  man  aloft  saw  the  island  of  Al* 
derney,  and  the  French  coast  of  Normandy.  Rocky 
places ;  but  there  was  some  prospect  we  might  stick  on  some 
of  them;  and  have  at  least  a  remote  chance  for  our  lives. 
H%<  We  steered  towards  them  with  the  desperate  intention 
of  running  the  vessel  upon  the  nearest  reef,  let  the  risk  of 
going  to  pieces  be  never  so  great;  it  was  at  least  as  safe 
an  alternative  as  sinkii^  to  the  bottom.  Happy  for  us,  the 
gale  was  in  our  favour  to  make  the  island.  Now  hope 
and  fear  by  turns  ruled  every  breast,  whether  she  would 
strike  and  go  down,  or  stick  fast  among  the  dismal  crags. 
Our  pilot  knowing  the  island,  carried  the  sinking  frigate  as 
clear  of  the  rocks  as  possible,  till  within  a  half  a  mile  of 
the  shore,  when  the  swell  of  a  mighty  billow  carried  her 
with  terrible  impetuosity  upon  a  hidden  reef:  this  was  the 
critical  moment  of  our  fate,  but  the  three  masts  cut  away, 
another  sea  carried  us  still  farther  upon  the  ledge, 
where  we  stuck.  Awfidly  raked  by  the  tremendous  break- 
ers that  dashed  against  our  bows,  which  by  means  of  our 
last  anchor  and  cable  had  been  brought  round  to  the  sea, 
twept  our  decks  and  covered  us  with  foam.  Being  upon 
the  main  deck  when  a  tremendous  wave  rushed  upon  us 
over  the  forecastle,  and  knowing  I  should  be  swallowed  up) 


if- 


VV  "  ,■^^■^,«" 


JOSHUA  MARSDBN. 


Ao 


BOAT  IiOaT   IN   COMIMO  TO  OUR  A8SI9TAMCI. 


I  made  a  desperate  leap,  and  got  hold  of  the  boom  aad 
spars;  and  thus,  by  the  mercy  of  God,  was  saved  from  a 
dismal  fate.  » 

We  made  repeated  signals  of  distress  to  the  inhabitants, 
who  were  now  collecting  upon  the  beach ;  but  the  surf  was 
so  dangerous,  and  the  gale  so  high,  that  no  boat  would  ven- 
ture to  our  relief;  the  only  one  we  had  left  (the  jolly-boat) 
was  veered  away  astern  in  hopes  she  might  reach  the  shore, 
but  a  terrible  breaker  struck  her,  and  dashed  her  to  shi- 
vers in  an  instant.  Thus  our  forlorn  hope  was  nearly  de- 
stroyed, and  our  situation  truly  deplorable ;  more  than 
half  a  mile  from  the  shore,  surrounded  and  almost  over- 
whelmed by  furious  breakers.  Had  the  ship  gone  to  pieces 
in  this  crisis,  perhaps  not  one-tenth  of  the  crew  would  have 
been  saved ;  but  mercy,  rich,  boundless  mercy,  intended 
for  most  of  us  a  loo^r  date.  Just  now  a  large  boat,  with 
eight  stout  seame  1,  vehtured  to  leave  the  pier  and  come  to 
our  relief;  but  alas,,  before  they  had  long  left  the  shore,  a 
furious  breaker  rushing  forward  with  fatal  impetuosity, 
rolled  over  both  boat  and  men;  some  of  whom  sank  to  rise 
no  more ;  the  rest  were  carried  by  the  same  wave  far  upon 
the  beach,  and  the  people  joining  hands,  rescued  them  from 
the  refluent  tide. 

In  this  situation  we  remained  from  eight  in  the  morning 
till  tliree  in  the  afternoon ;  when  the  sea  falling,  and  the 
tide  having  ebbed,  a  few  boats  ventured  from  the  shore  to 
our  assistance ;  and  coming  under  the  stern  we  gave  them 
a  hawser  and  other  ropes  to  make  fast  round  the  rocks  on 
shore ;  for  as  night  was  shutting  in  fast  upon  us,  we  had 
no  prospect  of  ^surviving  till  moniing.  Wet,  hungry,  eold, 
and  exhausted  with  pumping  the  preceding  night,  and  re-> 


E 


t. 


MEMOIRS    OF 


i. 


NOTBIIfO  SOrTENS  TBC   BB«IIT   BUT   DITIHE  ORACK. 

peated  exertions  through  the  day;  some  ventured  upon  the 
ropes ;  but  as  this  was  at  best  both  a  difficult  and  dan> 
gerous  task,  the  greater  part  continued  ou  board  till  the 
surf  had  so  far  subsided  that  more  boats  ventured  under 
our  stern,  and  we  dropt  one  by  one  into  them,  till  by  the 
blessing  of  a  divine  and  gracious  Providence,  we  all  got 
safe  ashore.  ■-•-,ar.j^'*-"*Y'-  ;*%"-iseriiw-*«iic 


^r.'f?**,'!-  •■ 


i*1    .1FS;_ 


i¥v>:;*i  '^^Tn^.'Ta!s»K'*!'j*e^.;aj!5fj^.:'0^ 


'■T.l 


.Vfe^^D!ii.4*i^j?.     REFLECTIONS.    ^.y-4!^:^,^x^i^- 


It  might  be  supposed  that  such  a  tremendous  shipwr. 'ck 
and  merciful  deliverance  would  have  made  a  deep  and 
lasting  impression  on  my  foolish  heart,  and  the  hearts  of 
others.  Alas,  alas,  nothing  of  this  kind  took  place.  In* 
stead  of  prayer,  thanksgiving,  and  gratitude,  the  night  of 
our  deliverance  was  spent  in  dancing,  riot,  and  drunken- 
ness. Thus  did  we  wantonly  abuse  the  mercy  of  God, 
and  trifle  with  the  patience  that  spared  our  sinAil  lives. 
But  when  did  mere  calamities  affect  the  obdurate  heart  of 
man,  till  touched  by  divine  grace  ?  Misfortunes  may  over, 
whelm,  poverty  frown,  sickness  blast,  providence  lower, 
and  calamities  multiply;  but  the  fortress  of  hardened, 
fallen  nature,  is  too  strong  to  fear  such  artillery;  it  is  only 
by  the  piercing  energies  of  the  Holy  Spirit  that  the  human 
heart  can  be  truly  penetrated  and  deeply  softened. 


It  there  a  thisg  that  moves,  and  breaUff 
A  hail  as  hard  as  stone  t 
That  mftlts  a  heart  as  cold  as  ice  1 
"*  •  '   '  '■"    '   'Tl8  Jesu'a  blood  alone. 


Some  of  the  seamen  having  embarked  on  bot^rdofSu- 
|.  Sidney  Smith's  ship,  the  Diamond,  a  little  prior  to  her 


;;>■: 


JOSHUA   MAReDF.N. 


# 


OOT   A   rASSAOE  fOR  LTMK   IN   A  IMUaOLINO  TCIIBI.. 


beio*  captured  at  Havre  de  Grace,  the  remaioder  'witli 
myself  were  left  on  the  Island,  which  at  this  time  vnxi  in 
a  deplorable  situation  for  want  of  supplies.  Even  the  lit- 
tle garrison  of  Invalids  were  in  a  starving  state.  At 
length  I  thought  if  no  one  else  would  take  care  of  me  I 
must  take  care  of  myself.  So  I  got  acquainted  with  the 
master  of  a  smuggling  vessel,  and  he  with  the  generosity 
worthy  a  seaman,  offered  to  carry  me  to  Lyme  in  Dorset- 
shire. In  the  night  he  came,  and  put  me  on  board  his 
vessel,  in  which  I  was,  for  fear  of  discovery,  obliged  to  be 
stowed  away  in  a  little  hole  under  the  forecastle,  where  1 
had  to  continue  nearly  a  week,  lying  upon  a  damp  sail,  fed 
by  the  mate,  who  sent  me  provision!  daily,  till  the  vessel 
left  the  harbour,  and  then  I  was  gladly  called  upon  deck. 
After  being  chased  by  a  Revenue  Cutter,  and  having  had 
to  moor  about  three  hundred  kegs  of  brandy  in  tlie  bot- 
tom of  the  sea,  we  arrived  at  Lyme  in  Dorsetsliire. 

I  M'ould  now  have  returned  home ;  but  I  had  only  three 
French  crowns  in  the  world,  and  nearly  200  miles  to  tra- 
vel; and  having  no  clothes  but  those  on  my  back,  (jacket 
and  trowsers)  having  been  "obbeil  of  all  my  best  apparel 
in  Alderney ;  and  withal,  bring  afraid  of  the  press-gangs, 
so  common  in  every  eeapori  town  in  the  kingdom ;  hence  I 
continued  in  the  neighbotirhood  of  Lyme,  assisting,  as  op- 
portunity oflfered,  sometimes  the  smugglers,  and  afterwards 
the  fishermen.  All  this  time  (nearly  a  year)  I  was  never 
but  once  in  a  place  of  worship;  indeed,  I  had  nearly  lost 
all  sense  of  religion.  Most  of  my  restraints  had  ceased  to 
operate,  and  there  were  few  vices  but  into  which  I  readily 
volunteered,  or  was  easily  persuaded  to  plunge.  I  had  no 
pious  parent  near  to  check  me ;  I  saw  no  religion,  not  even 


-> 


}? 


m 


MlEMtURB    OF 


THOOOH  WICKED,  WAS  NEVER  AS  IVnOXI.. 


the  faiotestlbnn,  among  017  acquaintances ;  the  impressions 
of  my  childhood  were  iirell  nigh  erased;  and  I  lived  lite- 
raiiy  without  God  in  the  world.    And  is  this,  ye  proud, 
hearted  moralists,  the  beii^  naturally  inclined  to  good? 
Alas,  alas,  ye  vain  boasters  of  the  excellence,  the  rectitude 
of  human  life  '^  ye  deifiers  of  reason,  behold  the  pictiure-; 
without  divine  grace  preventing,  assisting,  and  directinj^ 
the  human  mind,  man  is  earthlyi  sensual^  and  devilish.    - 
I  have  much  cause  to  be  thankful,  that  during  this  darK 
and  dismal  vacation  of  divine  influence,  my  mind  was  ne- 
ver poisoned  with  dshau,  or  warped  aside  by  the  infidel 
writings  of  the  day.     I  was,  it  is  trae,  immoral  and  wlci:- 
ed;  but  according  to  the  best  of  my  bad:.notion8, 1  still  be- 
lieved the  word  of  God.    I  had  no  doubt  but  religion  was 
true;  but  with  regard  to  myself,  I  cared  little  about  it. 
Yet,  when  writing  to  my  mother,  I  would  still  use  religious 
terms;  not  that  like  the  hypocritical  cameleon,  I  was  will- 
ing to  conform  myself  to  the  colour  of  the  neariest  object, 
but  oct  of  mere  respect  for  the  feelings  and  sentiments  of 
my  pious  parent.    Perhaps  in  a  similar  state  many  have 
religious  terms  at  the  end  of  their  pen,  and  beginning  of 
their  letters,  who  have  them,  alas,  nowhere  else.  However, 
even  this  is  infinitely  preferable  to  bold-faced  infidelity* 
and  supercilious  contempt  of  the  word  of  God. 
■'  ■  During  the  summer  I  shipped  myself  in  a  large  cutter  that 
traded  to  Wales;  and  now  again  thought  that  I  would 
give  myself  up  to  a  sea-faring  life.    Ah,  my  God,  I  had 
no  thought  of  thee,  or  what  kind  of  life  would  best  promote 
thy  glory.  The  sea  is  thhie,  and  the  land  is  thine,  but  I  chose 
neither  with  an  intent  to  please  thee  :  thy  glory  was  not 
Jn  my  thoughts;  wild, headstrong  desire,  restless  aDJciety, 


\ 


JOSHUA   MAR8DEN. 


49 


SAILORS,  THOUOB  CXrOSBD  tO  GREAT  DANOXR8,  AIS  HARDENED. 


and  the  vaiQ>  mad  hope  of  chaogiog  my  pleasures  with  my 
place,  prompted  my  conduct.  My  heart  was  debased,  nor 
was  there  a  sin  but  I  found  either  a  desire  or  an  oppo^tur 
oity  to  commit  on  the  mighty  ocean.  I  did  not  acknow- 
ledge thy  hand  on  shore;  I  sought  only  the  gratification 
of  animal  q>petite8.  Few  have  such  opportuoities  <tf  be- 
lioldiDgthe  wonders  of  the  Lord  as  seamen;  and  none  are 
more  indifferent  to  the  opcratioDs  of  his  power:  and 
though  the  dangers  of  a  sea- faring  life  can  hardly  be  equal- 
led by  any  otlier,  yet  few  are  more  hardened,  daring,  and 
fearless,  than  mariners. 

The  northern  blast, 

The  shatter'd  maat. 
The  S3rrt,  the  whirlpool,  and  the  rock ; 

The  breaking  spout. 

The  stus  gone  out. 
The  boiling  streight,  the  nndnster's  shock;  Youno. 

Are  amongst  the  many  dangers  to  which  they,  are  contiou* 
ally  exposed.  Were  they  men  truly  pious,  how  dear  to  the 
confiding  mind  is  the  idea,  tliat  God  rides  in  the  whirl- 
wind, and  directs  the  storm;  that  he  is  the  God  of  nature 
as  well  as  redemption.  All  the  elements  act  in  perfect 
obedience  to  his  will ;  he  makes  the  clouds  his  chariot^ 
and  rideth  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind.  The  forked  light' 
ning  darts  at  his  command ;  there  are  no  random  shafts.  The 
dreadfiil  thunder  rolls  harmless  over  Jie  object  he  pre- 
serves: the  raaring  tempest,  and  the  mountainous  wave 
are  alike  under  lus  control :  he  makes  the  sleeping  bil« 
lows  roll,  the  rolling  billows  sleep.  Happy  is  the  man 
who  can  apply  in  times  of  danger  these  gracious  declara- 
tions; '*I  will  say  of  the  Lord,  he  is  my  refuge  and  my 
fortress :  in  him  will  I  trust.      Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid 

-  e2  .        ,. 


■gf 


^ 


50 


MEMOIRS   OK* 


IN   WHAT   MANNER   MODERN   MAKINER8   TESTIFT   THEIR  GRATITUDE. 


of  the  terror  by  night ;  nor  for  the  arrow  that  flieth  by 
day;  nor  for  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness;  nor 
for  the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noon -day :  Because  thou 
liast  made  the  Lord,  which  is  my  refuge,  even  tlie  Most 
High,  thy  habitation."  t^  ***" 

I  do  not  know  whether  David  was  ever  at  sea,  but  I 
apprehend  both  from  Jonah's  account,  and  his,  that  sailors 
in  those  days  were  more  noted  for  fearing  God  than  at 
present.  It  is  true,  the  late  Lord  Nelson,  after  some  sig- 
nal victttries,  ordered  thanksgiving  through  all  the  fleet; 
but  whether  his  Lordship  has  many  successors  in  this  good 
work,  I  will  not  at  present  determine.  ^rMr 

David,  who  has  justly  described  a  storm,  speaks  of  bis 
mariners  crying  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble ;  "  God 
maketh  the  storm  a  calm,  so  that  the  waves  thereof  are 
still ;  then  they  are  glad  because  they  be  quiet."  But  is 
this  the  case  among  modern  sailors?  I  am  afraid  not. 
I  have  been  at  sea  iu  the  most  terrible  gales,  squalls, 
thunder-storms,  and  dangerous  lee-shores,  but  I  do  not 
recollect  any  praying :  they  are  glad  when  deliverance 
comes,  it  is  true;  but  how  is  this  manifested?  Ist,  By 
singing  songs :  2d,  By  drinking  grog :  3d,  By  dancing  and 
capering :  or  4th,  By  mischief  and  roguery.  Thus  the  men, 
that  of  all  others,  are  roost  exposed  to  dangers  and  peril, 
have  little  or  no  sense  of  moral  obligation.  Is  it  because 
the  sea  hardens  men  more  than  the  land  ?  Or  that  the 
sabbath  is  sadly  neglected  on  board  of  most  ships;  nay, 
wantonly  profaned  ?  Or  shall  we  say,  that  the  officers  of 
most  ships  are  profane  and  ungodly  ?  Is  there  a  shadow  of 
religion  on  board  of  the  generality  of  ships  ?  Were  the 
leading  characters  god-fearing  men,  there  is  no  doubt  but 


'  T^-^^fZ-T  7  ' 


JOSHUA   MA&SDEiV. 


TITUDE. 


.-'.•. 

'*^'*'^''"^  •■-    .    .     -r                                                                                                               •              .           ,         . 

i-  \.  ■-■i.c_   » 

WENT  AGAIN   TO   8ftA  AMD   STRUCK   ON   ROrKS. 

sailors,  who  are  freqtieatly  opeo,  generous-hearted  soidi, 
would  be  susceptible  of  divine  influence.  1  have  frequent- 
ly convctjed  both  with  sailors  and  soldiers,  who  lamented 
this  dearth  of  piety  in  the  army  and  the  navy;  alleging  that 
they  could  not  reform  and  save  their  souls  on  account  of  their 
officers  being  some  of  them  so  infamous  for  wickedness; 
who,  should  they  see  any  seriousness  in  a  [Nrivate  man, 
would  treat  him  with  derision,  cruelty,  and  contempt. 

After  making  a  few  trips  to  Wales  in  my  new  employ, 
I  met  with  a  circumstance  that  finally,  under  God,  was 
the  means  of  breaking  me  from  the  ocean,  and  dissolving 
the  chain  that  bound  me  to  a  sea^faring  life.  We  had 
been  at  Tenby,  in  Wales,  and  were  retiurning  toBridport; 
but  one  night  a»  v/e  were  passing  the  Land's  £nd,  we  were 
brought  to  *he  Amphitrite  frigate,  which  detained 
us  severaH  "  -  Meanwhile  the  flood  tide  rolling  io 
from  the  south-west,  had  set  us  in  shore  ntpre  than  the 
mate,  who  had  the  watch  upon  deck,  computed;  hence, 
after  the  vess' '  had  been  under  way  a  few  hours,  being 
upon  deck,  I  thought  1  saw  breakers  under  our  lee-bow, 
distance  about  half  a  mile.  I  mentioned  this  to  the  mate, 
who  would  not  believe  me;  however,  we  prepared  to 
wear  ship,  but  before  this  could  be  effected,  she  struck 
with  a  tremendous  crash  upon  the  roclis,  and  continued  to 
touch  and  run,  (as  the  sailors  phrase  it)  till  finally  ihe 
stuck  fast.  The  Captain,  (who  was  part  owner)  ran  up- 
on deck  like  a  frantic  person,  crying,  *'  I  am  ruined,  I  am 
ruined !  my  vessel  is  ashore !  my  vessel  is  ashore !''  abusing 
and  upbraiding  the  mate  as  the  cause  of  the  calamity. 
I,  who  was  more  intent  upon  saving  my  life  thin  thinking 
about  the  vessel,  cut  the  lashmg  of  the  boat,  and  haviqg 


•«ti 


^ 


52 


MEMOIRS   or 


DIBM/X  IITUATION— DRIVINO  WltMOUT  A  HELM. 


■I* 


made  fast  the  paiuter,  with  the  help  of  another  hand, 
launched  her  overboard.  ^  The  Captain  became  more 
composed;  but  the  vessel  on  the  roll  of  each  sea,  struck 
dismally ;  aud  had  there  been  much  wind,  would  inevita- 
4l>l7  have  >ae  to  pieces^  as  she  was  deeply  laden.  Fear- 
ing she  would  beat  the  bottom  out,  we  got  the  sails, 
oars«  a  compass,  and  some  biscuit  in  the  boat;  but  upon 
the  earnest  entreaties  of  the  captain,  we  agreed  not  to 
leave  the  vessel  till  daylight.  Meanwhile  the  mate  and 
myself  rowed  round  some  distance,  and  found  we  were  com- 
pletely embayed  with  rock.,  save  the  narrow  chapDel 
through  which  we  had  entered.  The  wind  having  shifted 
in  the  night  now  blew  oflf  shore,  so  that  by  daylight  the 
tide  having  floated  ui,  we  cut  the  cable  we  had  car- 
ried out  in  the  night,  and  filling  at  the  same  time  our 
jib,  got  (he  vessel's  head  round  to  sea ;  but  to  our  blank 
amazement,  when  the  mate  went  to  shift  the  helm,  the 
rocks  had  cut  it  oflf  level  with  the  water's  edge.  Thus 
was  ouk  situation  truly  dismal ;  we  had  cut  our  anchor 
from  the  bows;  were  without  rudder  in  a  deeply  laden 
Vessel :  and,  added  to  our  other  calamities,  she  began  to 
leak  fast ;  the  wind  blew  off  shore,  with  fog  and  haze ; 
and  should  tlie  vessel  have  gone  down,  our  little  boat 
would  hardly  have*carried  us  to  shore.  -f^^: 

In  this  situation  we  continued  all  the  day,  pumping 
with  all  our  might,  and  firing  our  signal  gun,  to  let  any 
vessel  that  might  pass  in  the  fog  know  our  situation.  The 
land  was  shut  in,  and  fear  and  despondency,  exertion  and 
anxiety,  preyed  upon  all  our  minds.  Sometimes  we  would 
;^clude  to  abandon  her  and  take  to  the  boat :  then  again, 
mk  captain  would  encourage  our  hope  that  some  vessel 


JOSHUA   MAR8DEN. 


53 


TOWED  INTO  CATWATER  BT  A  REVENUE  CDTTF,R. 


would  heave  io  sight  And  just  before  night,  a  fishermaa 
heard  our  gun,  and  bore  down  to  us,  and  hailing,  told  us 
he  would  teke  us  into  harbour  for  five  guineas ;  but  when 
informed  we  had  no  rudder,  the  man  seemed  panic  struck; 
however,  the  captain' told  him,  that  if  he  would  go  in  quest 
of  some  vessel  that  could  tow  us  in,  he  would  give  him 
the  stipulated  sum.  The  man  was  not  long  befoie  he  met 
a  Revenue  Cutter,  which  he  apprized  of  our  situation; 
and  the  captain  with  the  humanity  of  a  British  sailor,  came 
to  our  assistance ;  and  taking  us  ia  tow,  sent  a  number  of 
his  men  to  work  the  pump,  and  keep  the  vessel  from 
sinking,  as  we  were  greatly  exhausted,  and  the  water  was 
gaining  upon  us  fast.  They  succeeded  in  gettii^  us  into 
Cat  water  near  Plymouth :  thus  was  I  a  second  tune  saved 
from  the  ocean,  and  preserved  by  the  good  providence  of 


a  loDg-suflferlng  God. 


«f;     ,  i>;  Oft  has  the  aea  confeaa'd  thy  pow«r, 

And  given  me  back  at  thy  command ;  . 

.'f/.t^."         U  could  not,  Lord,  roy  life  devour,     4  ■4^f'^^?(ikl^-^i^''f::J^'%*' 
'■  ^  Safe  in  the  hollow  of  thii»c}>wid,  /s^i-    ::x>.-  f.t»      .^    ' 

But  did  I  in  all  these  deliverances  acknowledge  thy 
goodness,  O  God,  my  preserver  ?  Did  I  own  thy  hand,  and 
thankfully  adore  thy  power  ?  Did  I  say,  my  God,  thou 
hast  preserved  me,  and  I  will  love  thee  ?  Alas,  I  did  not. 
I  was  a  wretch,  ungrateiiil  and  unclean;  a  vile  rebel 
amidst  the  sweetness  of  thy  love;  a  rebel  amidst  the  thun- 
dersof  thy  law ;  to  the  drawings  of  thy  Spirit  I  was  insen- 
sible, and  to  the  beauties  of  holiness  blind  and  benighted ; 
amidst  cltanges  my  heart  remained  unchanged ;  amidst  dan- 
gers unmoved,  amidst  calamities  and  mercies  unreformed. 
Thy  voice  called  me,  but  I  was  as  the  deaf  adder  and  the 


'f$^\   ?!**, ;  -v*' 


tp.  ,■  t»;;-jifi-^^-. 


imj 


i-m.., 


$A 


MEMOIRS   or 


NOTRINO  SO    HABD  AS  IMHOXAL  MAN. 


■A 


wild  ass's  coU ;  thy  goodness  watered,  but  I  was  a  barren  fig- 
tree,  i  did  not  pray,  though  I  had  ten  thousand  reasons} 
I  did  liot  praise,  though  m^  life  abounded  with  mercies ;  I 
did  not  repent,  though  laden  with  sin ;  nor  fear  thy  wrath 
though  exposed  to  it  every^moment.  Well  might  the  royal 
Psalmist  cry  cut.  What  is  man?  A  monster  of  ingratitude  ; 


a  dupe 


1..... 


a  tool  of  Satan,  and  a  slave  of  sin. 


^^''m.- 


t 


-%^^- 


I 


Range  the  wide  world,  explore  the  ocean  round, 
SkiiD  the  blue  sky,  or  pierce  the  solid  ground ; 
Look  every  page  of  nature^s  volume  through, 
All  things  examine,  .and  all  creatures  view  ; 
Then  say,  and  prove  the  assertion,  if  you  can, 
Does  aught  in  nature  equal  such  a  man  t 
AH  things  submit  to  a  superior  force, 
Rocks  wear  away,  and  rivers  change  their  course ; 
The  firmest  marble,  and  the  brightest  ore, 
Gold  of  Peru,  or  gems  of  Visiapour, 
Are  meekly  passive;  all  some  force  obey: 
Gold  will  dissolve,  and  diamonds  melt  away ; 
Marble  obeys  the  chisel  and  the  saw, 
And  solar  beams  a  rock  of  ice  will  thaw  ; 
The  ilamiDg  forge  o'ercomes  we!l  tempCr'd  steel, 
And  flinty  glass  is  fashion'd  at  the  wheel ; 
But  man's  rebellious  heart  no  power  can  bend, 
^1'  No  flames  can  soften,  no  concussions  rend, 

^  . ,   ,       Till  the  pure  Spirit  soften,  pierce,  and  melt, 
And  the  warm  biood  is  on  the  conscience  felt. 

m  Though  the  diflSculties  and  dangers  to  which  I  had  been 
f  xposed  made  a  sea-faring  life  appear  extremely  irksome, 
y^l  I  did  not  know  well  how  to  leave  the  vessel ;  hence, 
f^,  when  Phe  was  repaired  I  made  another  trip  to  Wales. 
This  was  hardly  less  dangerous  than  the  former ;  for  meet- 
ing h  gale  of  wind  off  the  Land's  End,  we  sprang  our  bow- 
sprit, split  the  mainsail,  and  with  some  difficulty  made  the 
harbour  of  St  Ives.  After  we  left  this  we  got  entangled 
with  the  Carmarthen  sands;  and  as  the  vessel  did  not 
•tary  well,  and  in  some  trio)  would  hardly  wear,  We  nar- 


JOSHUA  MAESDEN. 


56 


FEW  FBOFLK  ACftUAIMTKD  WITH  TRUE  RCLIOION. 


rowly  escaped  runniDg  on  some  dangerous  shoals  in  a  very 
dark  night.  , 

Now>  for  the  iint  time  since  I  had  come  to  sea,  I  kneel- 
ed down  to  pray.  It  was  my  watch  to  look  out  ahead; 
no  one  was  near ;  I  could  neither  be  seen  nor  heard  for 
the  noise  of  the  wind  and  sea;  I  begged  of  God  to  bring  me 
safe  to  land,  and  I  would  serve  him  to  the  best  of  my  abi- 
lity. But  I  had  no  knowledge  of  thy  pure  spiritual  ser« 
vice,  O  God  of  light  and  purity;  abstaining  from  outward 
sin,  and  going  to  church,  were,  in  my  poor  views,  the  esseo- 
tial  parts  of  religion ;  to  which  I  would  add,  living  a  de- 
cent, moral,  orderly  life.  The  renewal  of  the  nature,  faith 
working  by  love,  the  operations  of  die  Holy  Spirit,  inward 
purity,  zeal,  patience,  meekness,  and  heavenly- mindedoesi, 
were  things  of  which  I  had  no  conception.  Alas,  how  ii 
vital  internal  religion  overlooked  by  thousands  who  profess 
the  name  of  Jesus ;  who  live  decent,  regular  liv» ;  are  ho- 
nest, sober,  temperate,  diliger'  and  pinctual,  but  devoid 
of  the  graces  of  the  Spirit,  aLa  the  power  of  experimental 
godliness.  '  .jg^jhie^'.i:^'j:imm^0^  ' 


■'fy''-f?M: 


Ah«  where  that  humble,  lelf-abatfng  ntiid, 

With  that  confiding  spirit,  shall  we  And, 

That  feels  the  useful  pain  repentance  brings,    4ri**^*  ^^-  o  '**'<' 

Dejection's  sorrows  and  contrition's  stings, 

And  then  the  hope  that  heaven  these  griefs  approTe, 

Aid  lastly,  joy,  that  springs  from  pard'aing  love  ?  Ckaivk, 


We  arrived  the  next  day  at  Tenby,  and  as  soon  as  the 
vessel  was  got  into  the  pier,  and  the  captain  and  mate 
gone  ashore,  I  silently  packed  up  some  of  my  things,  and 
put  on  a  suit  of  long  clothes  I  had  bought,  and  set  off  on 
foot  to  travel  the  whole  length  of  Wales  to  the  city  «C 


56 


MEMOIRS  or 


PASSING   THROUGH   WALEi,  NABROWLV  MCAPBD  A   PHMI'UANO. 


i.'W't 


Chester.  How  light  and  happy  did  I  feel  to  be  once  more 
on  shore.  If  I  had  but  little  mooey,  I  bad  health  aad 
spirits.  The  world  was  all  before  me,  where  to  choose  my 
place  of  rest;  and  Providence  my  guide. 

After  passing  through  Pembrokeshire,  part  of  Cardi- 
ganshire, Meiiooethshire,  and  Denbighshire,  I  arrived  at 
the  city  of  Chester,  and  narrowly  escaped  getting  pressed. 
What  a  mockery  is  the  name  of  liberty  where  such  a 
gross  violation  of  human  rights  prevails.  We  may  talk  of 
our  well-framed  constitution,  our  magna  charta,  habeas 
corpus,  or  whatever  else  we  plefise ;  but  while  there  is  a 
press-gang  in  our  streets,  freedom  is  a  fancy ;  liberty  is  a 
dream;  and  the  pillars  of  our  lovely  constitution  repeated- 
ly undermined  by  this  palpable  infraction  of  the  rights  of 
man,  may  in  the  end  fall,  and  bury  the  whole  nation  be- 
neath the  ruins  of  liberty,  justice,  and  equal  laws, 
°^  As  I  felt  an  utter  aversion  to  going  again  to  sea,  there  is 
hardly  an  evil  I  would  not  have  endured  rather  than  that 
of  being  pressed.  I  had  seen  enough  of  the  ocean  to  make 
me  heartily  tired  of  it ;  and  after  much  reflection  and  ma- 
ny years  experience,  I  am  persuaded  that  a  sea-faring  life 
is  of  all  others  the  most  uncomfortable  and  dangerous,  im- 
moral and  iiardened.  There  may  be  pious  sailors,  and  I 
have  known  a  few;  but  in  general,  the  piety  of  a  ship  and  a 
prison  may  be  coupled  together.  '  * 

I  am  fully  convinced,  that  both  the  army  and  the  navy 
in  their  present  state  are  painfiilly  unfavourable  to  Chris- 
tian morals.  Let  any  one  read  Mr.  Cowper's  i^||mated 
description  of  the  progress  of  vice  in  a  raw  recmi^  'ka  ac- 
count as  true  as  it  is  painfid,  and  he  will  be  convinced  the 
army  b  not  the  best  place  for  a  serious  person. 


>■• 


JOSHUA  MABSDEN. 


h7 


PORTRAITUKE  OF   A   SAILOR   IN   GENERAL. 


The  life  of  a  sailor  is  a  life  of  wo.     it  is  true  he  is 
bold  and  cheerful ;  but  theo  he  is  thoughtless,  profane,  and 
desperate;  he  is  generous,  but  dissolute;  playful,  but  su- 
perstitious and  rash.    His  song,  his  bumper,  and  his  girlj 
(peiliaps  a  street-pacing  harlot,)  form  his  trio  of  pleasure. 
He  rarely  thinks,  seldom  reads,  and  never  prays.    His 
life  is  in  jeopardy  every  hour,  and  yet  he  laughs  at  the 
idea  of  death,  and  deems  it  an  insult  to  be  told  that  he 
fears  it.     He  justifies  his  profaneness  by  necessity,  and  his 
neglect  of  religion,  by  a  marine  joke.    Speak  to  him  of  the 
call  of  God,  he  tells  you  something  about  the  boatswaip's 
call;  tell  him  of  the  danger  of  being  drowned,  he  cites  a. 
profane  song,  and  tells  of  a  sweet  little  cherub  that  sits  up 
aloft,  and  looks  out  for  a  birth  for  poor  Jack.     He  is  the 
victim  of  tyrants  at  sea,  and  the  dupe  of  knaves  and  har- 
lots on  shore.     He  laboui's  like  a  horse,  and  spends  his  mo- 
ney like  the  merest  prr«digal.     I  was  told  by  lieutenant 

M r,  in  the  Somers  Islands,  that  having  to  fetch  some 

seamen  on  board  who  had  been  drinking  and  carousing,  one 
of  them  seemed  particularly  sullen  and  unwilling  to  go  • 
but  the  officer  insisting,  he  took  several  guineas  from  his 
pocket,  and  jerking  them  into  the  sea,  went  into  the  boat 
as  gay  and  blithe  as  a  lark.  When  on  board,  where  they 
cannot  spend  it,  they  set  no  value  on  property,  and  will  ha- 
zard a  watch  or  a  pair  of  silver  buckles  on  the  turn  of  a 
card  or  the  cast  of  a  die  as  freely  as  a  button.  Thus  the% 
useful,  but  immoral  men,  frequently  trifle  on  till  a  fall  from 
the  ysrd,  a  gust  of  wind,  a  fatal  bullet,  a  yellow  fever,  dismal 
shipwreck,  or  a  tremendous  wave,  hurries  them  into  eternity. 

My  friend,  i^hoever  thou  art  that  readest  this,  if  tho>u 
hast  one  spark  of  grace,  one  sentiment  of  piety,  the  leai^t 


^i- 


■^;'  * 


1 


^■-  '■'.^•^iv  ''■•  ^ 


SB 


'^kskoins  OP 


MARINES  MBRCENAKT— MER   WOULD   PBER8  THEIR  FATHER. 


shade  of  godly  fear,  or  the  remotest  hope  of  being  a  Chris- 
tiaD,  do  not  go  to  sea.  At  sea  the  Sabbath  is  hardly  known, 
the  gospel  is  not  heard,'prayer8  are  not  offered  up,  read- 
ing the  scripture  is  not  attended  to,  thy  companions  are 
wicked,  and  thy  calling  will  expose  thee  to  be  wicked 
also. 


-pfTi 


*■.- 


^hf 


^' 


■'-  *  .4r 

C  ontinuation  of  my  chequered  pilgrimage.  My  arrival  at 
home.  Was  awakened — brought  under  the  influence  oj 
genuine  conviction — illumination — and  divine  grace. 

My  return  home  and  interview  with  my  dear  mother  was 
affectionate  and  joyful,  but  this  soon  gave  place  to  anxiety. 
There  were  marines  in  town,  and  these  understanding  I 
had  been  at  sea,  wished  to  take  a  liking  to  me — mercenary 
wretches  many  of  them,  who  would  entrap  their  own  father 
for  the  paltry  sum  of  half  a  guinea.  Had  they,  as  they 
intended,  got  me  into  their  clutches,  I  had  no  wealthy 
relations  at  hand  to  rescue  me  from  their  power,  and  pre- 
rent  my  being  sent  on  board  a  man  of  war.  I  had,  indeed, 
a  rich  uncle  some  sixteen  miles  distant;  but  rich  uncles  are 
not  always  the  most  generously  disposed  towards  poor  ne- 
phews. So,  not  thinking  myself  safe,  I  left  home,  and  went 
to  an  acquaintance  at  a  country  village,  about  eleven  miles 
from  the  place  of  my  nativity. 

On  my  way  I  happened  to  overtake  an  elderly  woman 
with  whom  I  had  been  formerly  acquainted.  After  a  lit- 
tle conversation  she  invited  me  to  her  house,  and  withal 
requested  me  that  evenir^  to  go  and  hear  a  preacher,  n^ho 


S^^^k, 


JOSHUA   MARSO£N. 


£9 


MADE  THOUOBTrUL   BT   HEAHINO  A  lERMON. 


bad  to  preach  io  the  village,  (Raddifif  Bridge.)  I  readily 
complied  with  the  good  woman's  iovitation,  not,  however, 
without  reflecting  upon  the  probability  of  forming  some 
new  acquaintance. 

I  had  often  been  to  hear  the  Methodists  as  well  as  other 
dissenters,  but  all  pastors  are  alike  to  wandering  sheep  re- 
solved to  follow  none ;  however,  on  that  evening  the  word 
made  a  deeper  impression  on  my  mind  than  any  preaching 
I  had  ever  heard.  The  text  was,  *'  Whoso  covereth  his 
sins  shall  not  prosper,  but  he  that  confesseth  and  forsaketh 
them  shall  find  mercy."  The  preacher  dwelt  much  upon 
living  in  the  practice  of  concealed  iniquity,  aid  the  danger 
and  fatal  consequences  of  such  conduct.  To  me  the  rea- 
soning appeared  clear  and  just;  some  parts  came  home  to 
my  case,  especially  the  arts  young  people  use,  and  false- 
hoods they  tell,  to  deceive  each  other ;  assuming  the  s^- 
pcarance  of  friendship,  affection,  and  esteem,  to  varnish 
over  the  wicked  purpose  of  deceiving  and  seducii^  an  un- 
suspecting, and  probably,  confiding  young  female.  He 
dwelt  particularly  upon  the  different  appearance  people - 
put  on  to  cover  their  vices,  and  especially  affecting  (o 
virtues  opposite  to  their  character. 


Hence,  secret  scorn  and  sickening  envy  smile. 

Their  thoughts  are  daggers,  but  their  words  are  oil. 

See  pride  beneath  a  lowly  aspect  sneak ; 

The  light  look  solemn,  and  the  brutal  meek  \ 

Base  lust  the  winning  form  of  love  affect. 

And  malice  wear  the  semblance  of  respect,  f  #?:,"4l^;JI*^ 


■^f"" 


.,*• 


^. 


Light  flashed  upon  my  mind  as  the  preacher  reasoned, 
and  I  felt  within  my  conscience  a  confirmed  impression 
that  I  was  wrobg,  and  greatly  exposed  to  the  displeasure 
of  the  Almighty  on  account;  of  my  sins.    But  though  I  was 


96 


>&EMOIRS  OF 


SOME  WI8H  TO  RCCOMCIIiE   MLIOIOIf  ANO  PLEASURC. 


tired  of  vandering,  and  felt  some  desires  to  fall  upon  at 
least  as  much  religion  as  would  satisfy  my  conscience, 
without  too  mucii  restricting  my  incliuations ;  beii^  natu- 
rally volatile,  fond  of  company,  and  withal  trifling,  the 
idea  of  true  piety,  in  its  self-denying  and  pleasure-hating 
austerity,  was  by  no  means  pleasing  to  my  mind :  in  sooth, 
I  wished  for  religion  to  satisfy  my  conscience,  and  plea- 
sure to  gratify  my  passions. 

Alas,  how  many  in  the  world  say,  suffer  it  thus  far. 
They  come  to  the  very  borders  of  flesh-crucifying  reli- 
gion, and  then  stop.  Nay,  they  even  contend  that  most  of 
the  follies  and  amusements  of  the  day  are  not  only  per- 
fectly innocent,  but  even  consistent  with  religion.  Thus 
they  make  an  easy  transit  from  the  temple  to  the  theatre, 
from  the  ball-room  to  the  sacrament,  and  the  card-table  is 
the  preparation  f6r  evening  prayers. 


Through  every  folly,  thick  and  thin  they  dash  on, 
But  doubt  their  piety  you  raise  their  passion 
Shall  we  be  stiff,  precise,  and  singular? 
AVhat  needs  ao  much  ado,  such  pious  stir  ? 
Religion  you  mistake,  it  cannot  need 
Monastic  rigours  to  support  the  creed. 
Away  with  all  your  gloomy,  canting  stufF, 
A  little  piety  is  well  enough ; 
A  sweetly  mild,  conciliating  plan, 
Korm'd  to  delight,  not  cauterize  the  man. 
But  he  that  sets  stern  reprobation's  seal 
'*••'»'  On  every  gay  and  fashionable  ill ; 
"■•        Tissues  his  gloomy  notions  with  a  frown,  - 

'^;  i  V  Then  runs  all  sprightly,  sweet-ey'd  pleasures  down  ; 
Is  narrow,  rigid,  righteous  Dvermuch, 
And  bedlam  is  the  fittest  place  for  such.     '«'rs;'|;v    ^.^^■' 'ri* 


^ 


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VJ*f' 


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■;-S^i 


I  recollect  while  I  was  on  a  mission  in  the  Somei'S 
Islands,  I  had,  at  their  earnest  desire,  admitted  several 
reputable  young  ladies  to  the  Lord's  Table,  but  after  a  lit- 
tle while,  hearing  that  they  had  been  persuaded  to  go  to  a 


JOSHUA  MAKIDRN. 


01 


DirricuLTiBs  A  rAiTBrPL  miniitbii  will  MCF.T. 


ball,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  apprize  them,  that  I  could 
not  again  admit  them  to  the  game  privilege,  and  warned 
any  who  attended  the  foolbh  amugements  of  the  world, 
not  to  come  at  the  peril  of  their  rouIi.  My  conduct,  iu 
this  instance,  gave  high  offence;  notes  and  letters  were 
sent  me  to  give  explanations  of  my  measures ;  threats  and 
menaces  followed  each  other,  and  indirect  challenges  were 
sent;  I  was  the  worst  man  in  the  world,  so  rigid,  so  uo- 
charitable,  that,  according  to  my  plan,  no  one  could  be 
saved.  What,  expel  a  young  lady  from  the  Lord^s  tab'  j 
for  following  the  innocent,  respectable  amusement  of  her 
wiser  friends  and  venerable  forefathers,  who  had  establish- 
ed bails  in  the  island  time  immemorial  ?  This  was  not  to  be 
borne,  I  should  be  made  to  sufTcv  for  my  conduct ;  some 
said  that  I  was  a  gloomy  fanatic,  and  others  wished  they 
could  saw  their  subscription  out  of  the  chapel. 

Thus  when  a  christian  minister  exhibits  the  cross,  his 
foes  take  fire,  his  friends  get  alarmed,  Ad  it  is  teo  to  one 
but  his  own  household  vrill  become  his  enemies.  But  to 
return; 

I  did  not  think  that  to  laugh,  trifle,  and  sing  foolish 
songs,  was  improper.  I  loved  dancing  and  other  amuse- 
ments, which  by  the  by^  appeared  quite  harmless.  How 
faint  and  glimmering  is  the  light  that  beams  upon  tl.  ^  rar* 
nal  mind.  The  grossest  sins  may  indeed  appear  WiJug ; 
but  dim  'and  remote  are  seen  the  evils  of  the  heart. 
Pride,  anger,  concupiscence,  unbelief,  covetousness,  and 
ingraiitude,  are  hardly  noticed.  It  is  the  sun  alone  thaf 
diocovers  aU  •  objects :  the  starlight  of  reason,  and  the 
taperlight  of  science  may  discover  enormities;  but  till  ihr^ 


62 


NOTHING   in  BELIOION  WILL  AVAIL  WITHOCT  THE  HEART. 

Sun  of  righteousneis  shine  upon  the  soul)  the  heart  is  cal- 
lous, and  the  mind  is  dark. 

The  sermon  I  heard  had  nevertheless  a  good  effeet  up- 
on my  condi|ci ;  I  discontinued  several  profane  and  im> 
proper  things;  and  thought  I  would  in  some  degree  re- 
form mj  life;  for  I  was  stHl  ignorant  that  any  mure  was 
necessary  than  a  well  regulated  exterior.  Heart  religion 
did  not  then  enter  into  my  views,  nor  did  I  know  that 
such  a  thing  was  necessary. 


I  rested  in  the  outward  law, 

ig.,  .,T  \     Nor  knew  its  deep  design ; 

v^  .  The  length  and  breadth  I  never  saw, 

-  ;;^^tf^^      Nor  height  of  love  divine. 


Watts;  I 


How  blind  and  foolish  was  I  to  suppose  that  any  thing 
less  than  the  heart  can  be  acceptable  to  the  great  God; 
without  the  surrender  and  renovation  of  this,  prayer  is 
mere  babbling,  feith  is  a  fabte)  and  zeal  a  strange  fire 
offered  upon  Goa%  altar.  -t       ^  -  *  t*  -  - 

About  this  time,  I  was  introduced  by  a  young  man  into 
a  company  of  pious  females,  who  appeared  to  feel  such 
an  interest  m  my  welfare,  as  made  a  deep  and  lasting  im- 
pression on  my  mind.  They  requested  to  join  in  prayer: 
this  was  perfectly  novel  to  me ;  for  I  hardly  knew  that 
there  was  a  praying  woman  in  the  world  beside  my  own  mo- 
ther. I  was  much  pleased,  affected,  and  benefited^  by  tb^ir 
devout  conduct  and  pious  conversation.  Perhaps  nothing 
in  the  world  has  a  greater  teadeney  to  recommend  and 
set  off  piety,  than  the  conduct  of  an  amiable  and  serious 
female.  Some  wretches,  with  Pope  tlie  poet  at  their  head, 
accustomed  only  to  contemplate  women  through  the  nie- 


JOSHUA  MAE80EX. 


63 


WOMEN  DBORADSD   IN   rOKMER  TIMES. 


dium  df  a  Mahomedao  opiokm,  have  asserted,  that  every 
irotnan  is  at  heart  a  rake.  But  history,  the  faithful 
mirror  of  humaa  actions,  presents  to  our  view  to  infinite 
number  of  most  worthy,  p  ous,  and  dignified  females;  se 
eminent  for  talents  and  learning  as  (hey  were  exem- 
plary for  religion  and  purity  of  manners. 

The  talents  of  women,  says  an  eminent  i^rfteir,' fn^h 
only  in  the  reign  of  queen  Elizabeth  to  be  held  in  a  pro- 
per degree  of  consideration.  As  women,  they  were  ad- 
mired and  courted,  but  they  scarcely  could  be  said  to 
participate  in  the  society  of  men :  in  fact,  the  manners  of 
our  forefathers)  before  that  reign,  were  too  rough  for  them. 
In  Wales  wives  were  sold  to  their  hiubands :  in  Scotland 
women  could  not  appear  as  evidences  in  a  court  of  justice. 
Iq  the  time  of  Heniy  VUI.  an  act  was  passed  prohibiting 
women  and  apprentices  from  reading  the  New  Testament 
in  the  English  language.  Among  the  polished  Greeks 
they  were  held  in  little  estimation.  Homer  degrades  all 
his  females;  he  makes  the  Grecian  Princesses  weave  the 
web,  spin,  and  do  all  the  drudgery  of  modern  wa^hwo» 
men ;  and  rarely  allows  them  any  share  of  social  intercourse 
with  the  other  sex :  yet  the  very  foundation  on  which  he 
has  constructed  his  tuo  matchless  jpoems  are  women. 

It  appears  also  from  all  the  dramatic  writers  of  ancient 
Greece,  whose  aim  was  to  hold,  as  it  were,  the  mirror  up 
to  nature^  to  show  the  very  age  and  body  of  the  time,  its 
form  and  pressure,  that,  notwithstanding  their  extreme  de- 
licacy of  taste  and  rapid  progress  in  the  fine  arts,  their 
manners  were  low  and  coarse ;  and  that  they  were  entire 
strangers  to  any  other  gratification  arising  from  the  socie^ 
of  women  than  the  indulgence  of  the  sensual  appetite. — ) 


«>i 


■:,%iti^' 


4h  <     ■         ,.j«#>*. 
MBMOIRS   dF 


THEIR  KIND  AND  BEMSVOLSNT  CONDUCT. 


E^en  the  grave  Herodotus  mentioDS  in  the  highest  ternu 
of  approbation,  the  custom  of  Babylon  in  selliog  by  auction, 
on  a  certain  fixed  day,  all  the  young  women  who  had  any 
pretensions  to  beauty,  in  order  to  raise  a  sum  of  money  for 
portioning  the  rest  of  the  females  to  whom  nature  had 
been  less  liberal  in  bestowing  her  gifts,  and  who  were 
knocked  down  to  those  who.  were  satisfied  to  take  them 
with  the  least  money. 

This  degradation  of  women  would  seem  to  be  as  impo<- 
litic  as  it  is  extraordinary ;  since  under  their  guidance,  the 
earliest  and  sometimes  the  most  indelible,  (I  believe  I  may 
safely  add,  the  best  and  most  amiable,)  impressions  are 
stamped  on  the  youthful  mind.  In  infancy  their  protec- 
tion is  indispensably  necessary ;  and  in  sickness  or  in  old 
age,  they  unquestionably  afibrd  the  best  and  kindest  re- 
lief: or,  as  a  French  author  has  neatly  observed.  Sans  Us 
femmes  les  deux  extremites  de  la  vie  seraieni  sans  secourS) 
et  le  miUeu  sans  plaisirs,  *'  Without  women,  the  two  ex- 
tremities of  life  would  be  helpless,  and  the  imiddle  of  it 
joyless." 

To  a  woman,  says  Mr.  Ledyard,  I  never  addressed 
-  myself  in  the  language  of  decency  and  friendship,  without 
'    receiving  a  decent  and  friendly  answer.    If  I  Avere  hun- 
■i  gry  or  thirsty,  wet  or  sick,  they  did  not  hesitate,  like  men, 
to  perform  a  generous  action.    In  so  free  and  kind  a  man- 
ner did  they  contribute  to  my  relief,  that  if  I  were  dry, 
I  drank  the  sweetest  draught ;  and  if  hungry,  I  ate  the 
coarsest  morsel  with  a  double  relish. 


Place  the  ivhite  man  on  Afric's  cout, 
Whose  swarthy  sons  in  blood  delight, 

Who  of  their  scorn  to  Europe  boa»t, 
Anil  paint  their  verjr  demons  white 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


m 


IN  WHAT   LIGHT  THE  BTBLE  EXHIBITS   THEM. 


There,  while  the  sterner  sex  disdains 
To  soothe  the  woes  they  cannot  feel, 

Woman  will  strive  to  heal  his  pains, 
And  weep  for  those  she  cannot  heal. 

Her's  js  warm  pity's  sacred  gloit'. 
From  all  her  stores  she  bears  apait. 

And  bids  the  spring  of  hope  re-flow. 
That  laoguiah'd  in  the  fainting  heart 

Thus  in  extremes  of  cold  and  heat, 
Where  wand'ring  man  may  trace  hia  kind ; 

Wherever  grief  and  want  retreat. 
In  woman  they  compasaion  fiad. 

Man  may  tbe  sterner  virtties  ktiaw, 
Determin'd  justice^  truth  severe. 

But  femide  hearts  with  pity  glow. 
And  woman  boldaaffliation  dear. 

:  To  Woman's  gentle  hand  we  owe, 

What  comforts  and  delights  us  here ; 
They  its  gay  hopes  on  youth  beafow. 
And  care  they  soothe,  and  age  they  cheer. 


-f 


.,;4;^ 


CraBVI* 


For  mj  own  part,  I  hardly  think  it  an  exaggerated  cal- 
culation to  suppose,  that  there  may  be  one-third  more  pious 
females  in  the  world  than  males.  No  one  can  deny  that 
women  were  employed  in  the  first  propagation  of  the  gos- 
pel. Paul  says,  "  Help  those  women  that  laboured  with 
me  in  the  gospel."  Phcebe  was  a  deaconess,  Priscilla  was 
an  helper  of  her  husband  ;  Mary,  Dorcas,  Lydia,  and  the 
beloved  Kuria,  mentioned  by  St.  John,  all  seem  to  have 
been  distinguished  females.  We  might  mention  many 
whose  piety,  if  not  labours,  has  been  an  ornament  to  reli- 
gion, an  honour  to  society,  and  a  blessing  to  the  world.— 
To  return. 

After  the  evening  spent  with  the  pious  females  men- 
tioned above,  I  became  resolved  to  neglect  no  opportunity 
of  hearing  the  word  of  God,  which  began  to  have  a  bless- 
ed effect  upon  my  mind.    I  left  off  singing  profftoe  80Dg» 


w 


BIEMOlUg  0£    i^<A' 


ArrLicTios  viirvL  to  siirtM  imprbb8ioiir. 


I  0  ' 


m 


from  a  conviction  of  Sti  being  wrong ;  and,  strange  to  tell  t 
though  I  knew  perhspi  several  icorei  of  love,  hunting, 
sea,  and  war  songs,  they  all  went  from  me  in  the  most  sin- 
gular manner;  and  those  hymns  which  I  had  learned  in 
infancy,  though  they  !?  -  i  been  forgotten  several  years,  re- 
turned to  my  mind.     I  issd  indeed  by  ventuiing  into  the 
company  of  some  gi^^iy  young  people  nearly  made  ship- 
wreck of  my  good  impressions;  but  Ood  who  saw  my  wa- 
vering and  undecided  will,  consigned  me  over  to  affliction. 
A  complaint  in  my  throat,  for  which  I  could  give  no  ac- 
count nor  get  any  relief,  now  sei^d  me.    I  had  always 
been  healthy,  and  this  affllctlou*  coming  at  this  particular 
crisis,  was,  I  have  no  doubt,  from  the  Lord's  hand.    It 
made  the  impressions  I  had  received  more  deep;  it  alarm- 
ed me  extremely,  and  drove  me  to  prayer;  it  excited  in 
my  mind  a  most  earnest  desire  to  know  the  right  way; 
like  a  powerful  caustic,  it  burned  up  my  sensual  desires, 
drew  a  veil  over  the  vanities  of  the  world,  and  opened  so 
fully  the  awfulness  of  dying  without  an  interest  in  Christ, 
that  my  soul  breathed  and  struggled  continually  for  vital 
hope  and  divine  peace.  .v^-f    s*  i,  » :>.  v^i    .|  .. 

I  ventured  to  accept  an  invitation  to  class-meetiog :  all 
things  appeared  new  to  me.  I  looked  with  singular  venera- 
tion upon  the  Leader,  and  thought  the  meeting  truly  ar  d  im- 
pressively solemn :  roy  mind  was  greatly  affected,  and  the 
tears  trickled  down  my  cheeks  like  rivulets.  I  am  per- 
suaded that  these  meetings,  though  not  minutely  described 
in  holy  writing,  are  nevertheless  among  the  most  useful  and 
vital  means  of  grace.  In  Great  Britain,  Nova  Scotia,  the 
United  States,  and  the  Islands  of  Bermuda,  I  have  heard 


tliousands  testify  the 


",»T  "V">'*w/'^"«3 


lecelved  fypi©  class-meetings ; 


JOSHUA   MAR8DEN. 


H 


CliASS-MEETINOS   ACCOKDIROLT   PROriTABLE. 


and  I  justly  consider  them  as  the  promoters  and  palladium 
of  Methodism.  They  tend  greatly  to  iostruet,  comfort, 
quicken,  and  encourage  the  flock;  they  bring  Christiam 
acquainted  with  one  another,  and  furnish  a  continually 
new  spur  to  holiness  and  diligence;  they  bring  forward 
and  ripen  gifts  for  extemporaneous  prayer ;  they  are  good 
schools  to  improve  the  talents  of  young  men  who  may  be 
called  to  the  ministry  ;  and  next  to  the  Book  of  God,  they 
unfold  one  of  the  most  valuable  of  all  volumes  to  his  at- 
tention— I  mean  the  book  of  christian  experience.  This 
will  make  him  more  usefully  wise  than  a  thousand  tomes 
of  idle  speculation ;  here  he  will  be  let  into  all  the  exer- 
cises of  gracious  souls ;  their  views,  trials,  temptations^ 
heart-sinkings,  doubts,  struggles,  manifestations,  victories, 
coldness,  wanderings,  besetments,  helps,  hopes,  answers  to 
prayer,  interpositions,  reliefs,  complaints:  there  is  often 
discovered  the  beautiful  unfoldings  of  divine  grace  in  the 
soul,  during  the  periods  of  its  infancy^  youth,  maturity, 
and  confirmed  fatherhood  in  the  divine  life. 

In  addition  to  class-meeting,  I  attended  all  the  means  of 
grace:  these  on  many  occasions  gave  me  sweet  glimpses  of, 
and  divine  drawings  towards,  the  Lord  Jesus.  Anon  I 
would  sink  intt}  despondency  and  dryness,  and  be  ready  to 
give  up  all  as  lost.  I  strove  continually  with  the  beset- 
ment  of  my  nature,  entered  into  several  covenants  with 
God,  and  promised  greater  strictness,  watchfulness,  and 
care ;  yet  in  spite  of  all,  I  was  sometimes  borne  away  by 
the  violence  and  impetuosity  of  temptation. 

After  being  overtaken  with  sin,  I  would  redouble  my 
prayers,  ak:d  when  not  visited  with  the  temptation  for 
several  dap/ congratulated  myself  on  having  obtained  the 


*■'% 


■^■, 


T'.*     ■   "•'        -X^--  '■    " 


6d 


MEMOIRS  or 


_LJ       It-Li- 


THc  DAMeu  or  £.  tiiir-RioHTrous  rxniTEHCx. 


victory.  Ail  this  ime  I  mortified  1117  body  to  guch  a  de- 
gree, that  soiQetiDies  1  was  so  weak  1  could  hardlj  attend 
toanythiug. 

My  gieatest  desire  vra^'  to  feel  more  humble,  more  «^  )i\- 
trite,  aud  .dead  to  the  world.  My  mind  was  frei:>!jcutl)' 
much  distressed  od  account  of  hairUiess  of  heart  Akb, 
I  wanted  to  be  sanctified  Irfore  1  liad  any  kuowledge  of 
a  state  of  pardon.  Owiag  to  this  rrJButke  (which  I  am 
confident  prevents  thousands  from  coming  to  the  Lord 
Jmn»  in  the  symplkity  of  faiih)  I  ivande«ed  ironi  th« 
imnU  seldom  praying'  directly  for  faith,  but  chiefly  for 
contrition;  »uii  not  iiafrequently  for  all  the  graces  of  tiie 
Spirit  I  had  soR^e  latent  ihoughts  that  my  mind  must  be 
prepared  in  lYih  manufr,  before  I  could  obtain  a  sense  of 
divine  reconciliation.  Perhaps  this  was  owing  to  a  re- 
fined principle  of  self-righteousness ;  secretly  wishing  to  do 
somett^ing  in  order  to  merit  salvation  at  the  hands  of  God. 
By  how  mai^  plausible  ways  does  the  devil  strive  to 
lessen  the  glory  of  the  bleeding  cross,  tarnish  the  lustre  of 
a  free,  full,  and  present  salvation,  and  divert  the  soul  from 
the  simplicity  of  the  go^el,  and  the  true  path  of  life  and 
peace. 

I  aOf^w  that  I  could  be  saved  no  other  way  than  purely 
by  Christ,  as  a  poor,  miserable,  guilty  sinner ;  and  some- 
times I  would  kneel  down  to  prayer  under  the  impression 
I  should  now  get  the  blessing ;  but,  after  praying  a  few 
minutes,  something  would  siiggest,  ''not  now;  you  are 
not  enough  engaged ;  defer  it  till  to-morrow,  and  then  you 
may  possibly  obtain  it."  On  other  occusions,  I  would  go 
out  into  the  fields  and  woods,  and  think  I  shouM  not  be 
lOte^Tirupted,  and  might  wxestle  with  God  till  I  obtv^iied 


imt. 


JOSHUA  UAHSBBX. 


80METIMXS   I  WAS  BROUOBT   TO   THE   BRINK    OF  DESPAIR. 


^? 


* 


ii-. 


the  prize;  but  a  rustliog  among  the  bushes  or  trees  made 
me  think  some  person  was  near :  then  again  I  would  set  \ 
apart  some  particular  nights  to  read  the  word  of  Qod,  and 
pvriy  all  night,  hoping  to  have  my  soul  divinely  refreshed 
\-^y'j  a  sense  of  pardon :  but  then  as  soon  as  I  felt  drowsy, 
1  would  desist,  thinking  that  my  prayers  could  not  be  ac- 
ceptable to  God.    Frequently  an  unaccountable  desponden- 
cy would  paralize  all  my  endeavours;  my  besetting  sin 
raged  like  a  fury,  while  despair  and  fear  so  completely  " 
chilled  my  mind,  I  dared  not  look  up  to  God  for  mercy : 
all  appeared  as  lost,  and  I  had  no  consolation  left,  but 
the  reflection,  that  if  I  were  sent  to  hell  I  would  justify 
God  in  the  deep  abyss  of  everlasting  wo.    On  these  occa- 
sions I  have  spent  many  sorrowful  hours;  and  at  night 
feared  to  shut  my  eyes,  lest  I  should  awake  in  everlasting 
misery.     Ah  !  if  all  the  deep  exercises  of  ray  mind  had 
been  written  during  this  restless  period,  they  would  form 
a  shady  pictiure  of  lamentation,  mourning,  and  wo.    Some* 
times  I  had  fears  lest  the  horrible  doctrine  of  reprobation 
were  true;  and  that  myself  was  among  the  unhappy  niun- 
ber  for  whom  Deity  felt  no  compassion ;  for  whom  atoning 
mercy  never  shed  a  drop  of  precious  blood :  If  so,   I 
thought  I  might  as  well  sin  on,  for  what  would  all  my 
strivings  avail,  if  there  were  no  grace,  no  Saviour,  no 
promise?  but  a  fearful  looking  for  of  judgment.      Fears 
too,  that  I  had  committed  the  unpardonable  sin,  would ' 
often  darken  the  gloom  that  surrounded  my  soul:    all 
liightened  by  the  natural  workings  of  my  corrupt  nature, 
and  the  powerful  temptations  of  the  devil,  sometimes  made 
me  roll  on  the  floor  in  an  agony  of  distress.  It  often  appeared 
as  though  the  devil  were  let  loose  on  purpose  to  tempt  mef 


70 


,   BCEMOIliS  09 


aear 


BEBMONS  BHODLD  BE  MIHUTB  ARO  EXrblCIT' 


and  though  I  wept  and  strove}  dreaded  the  tempter^  ab- 
horred myself,  yet  was  I  oftea  overcome  by  tlie  enemy; 
and  being  drawn  within  the  whirl,  was  plunged  down  the 
vortex  of  evil.  Atheistical  thoughts  would  often  rush  in- 
to my  mind;  and  I  woJd  say,  what  if  there  be  no  Ood,  if 
religion  is  a  fable,  and  the  Bible  a  romance  P  but  these 
were  seldom  of  long  continuance.  I  have  infinite  reason 
to  be  thankful  that  I  never  was  in  any  period  of  my  life 
given  up  to  infidelity.  Even  when  I  did  not  obey  it,  I 
venerated  the  word  of  God,  and  though  destitute  of  its 
poner,  I  always  believed  in  the  reality  of  religicii. 

i  still  attended  all  the  means  of  grace,  and  Tf  as  on  some 
occasions  greatly  comforted,  but  I  did  not  ofteu  hear  the  ex- 
ercises  of  penitents  dwelt  upon  with  sufiicient  minuteness. 
Preaching  in  generals  may  have  its  uses,  but  certainly  it 
is  not  the  best  way.  A  sermon  of  this  kind  may  be  all 
tme,  all  good,  all  scriptural,  and  yet  not  suit  the  case  of  a 
single  individual  in  the  congregation.  I  grant  it  is  the 
easiest  way  of  preaching ;  it  requires  little  study,  less 
knowledge,  and  may  be  delivered  without  any  experience 
at  all.  The  believer  looks  up,  he  has  no  share ;  the  pe- 
nitent has  no  share;  the  relapse  has  no  share;  the  weak, 
desponding,  tempted,  drooping,  and  perplexied,  have  no 
share.  The  sermon  exhibits  a  group  of  figures  like  no- 
body in  the  congregation.  The  mirror  of  truth  is  lifted 
upi  but  no  one  can  see  his  moral  face  in  it.  Kotliing 
can  be  more  discriminating  and  explicit  than  the  scripture, 
nothing  more  vague  and  ambiguous  than  a  thing  of  this 
kind,  called  a  sermon.  ; 

I  would  sometimes  bear  sinners  addressed,  and  some- 
times saints;  but  I  thirsted  to  hear  the  nature  of  justifying 


.JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


V 


IN  WHAT  8EN8K  FAITH  IS  THE  GIFT  OF  000. 


faith  explained,  and  the  doctrine  of  a  present  simple  reli- 
ance upon  rhiist  for  instantaneous  remission  unfolded.  I 
read  all  the  books  I  could  get  upon  the  subject ;  but  few 
aflforded  me  such  clear  light  and  dawning  hopes  as  Mr.  Wes- 
ley's First  Journal,  Mr.  Fletcher's  Appendix  to  Matter  of 
Fact,  and  the  Life  of  Mr.  Haliburton. 

Mr.  Wesley's  sermon  on  Justification  by  Faith  alone, 
gave  me  tiie  greatest  comfort.  It  was  from  reading 
this  I  learned  the  absolute  necessity  of  prayer  for  faith 
continually ;  to  make  it  the  constant  burthen  of  all  my 
prayers,  and  expect  that  God  would  bestow  it  upon  me 
for  the  sake  of  his  well-beloved  Son ;  for  faith  is  the  gift 
of  God  :  "  By  grace  ye  are  saved  through  faith ;  and  that 
not  of  yourselves ;  it  is  the  gift  of  God  :  not  by  works.** 
Neither  this  faith  nor  this  salvation  is  owing  to  any  works 
we  ever  did,  will,  or  can  do,  for  we  are  his  workmanship; 
which  proves  both  (hat  salvation  is  by  faith,  and  that  faith 
is  the  gift  of  God.  Faith  is  wrought  in  the  heart  by  the 
operation  ofihe  Divine  Spirit;  but  is  not  tl  13  Spirit  the 
gift  of  God  ?  "  He  giveth  his  Holy  Spirit  /.o  them  that 
ask  him." 

.  Faith  is  a  nobler  blessing  than  repentance ;  and  yet  re- 
pentance is  the  gift  of  God,  "  He  is  exalted  on  high  a 
Prince  and  a  Saviour,  to  give  repentance  and  remission." 
*'  He  ascended  on  high  to  give  gifts  to  men,  even  to  the 
rebellious,  that  the  Lord  God  might  dwell  among  them." 
But  God  could  not  dwell  among  men  destitute  of  faith. 
Faith  realizes  the  divine  presence,  therefore  is  faith  one 
of  ihose  gifts  God  bestows  on  his  Son  to  dispense  to  fallen 
man.  It  is  not  the  gift  of  God  in  tiie  same  sense  as  our 
bodily  members,  or  mental  faculties ;  these  are  natural  (o 


If 


m 


1I£1IPIR9  OF 


MEM  HArX  A  ORAOIODS  POWER  TO  REPENT  AND   BELIEVE. 
'■         '■'  III  ii*"ii  I  I  I ,      '  I     - 


,,118,  and  only  his  gift  through  the  meilium  of  creation:  but 
^^  faith  is  a  superDatural  gift,  and  flows  to  us  through  the  me- 
'^  dium  of  new  covenpnt  htetcy,  and  by  a  particiUar  inspira- 
tion of  the  Spirit  of. God;  for, 

1 .  All  mefi  have  not  faith. 

2.  No  wicked  man  has  faith,  otherwise  he  would  be  a 
child  of  Gw*. 

..     "  We  are  made,**  says  tlie  apostle  Paul,  "the  children 

;nf  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus."    A  penitent  seeker  of 
saivatiuu  lias  not  true  faith ;  he  feels  his  want  of  it,  and 

^j,  cries,  Lord,  help  my  unbelief.  A  believer  has  only  true 
faith  ^vhile  he  watches  and  prays :  if  he  commit  rilful,  dc- 

,,  libei^ate  sin,  the  power  to  believe  !>i  withdrawn ;  nor  is  he 
restored  to  it  till  he  seeks  the  Lord  by  confession,  humi- 
liation, and  prayer.  If  it  be  asked,  Why  then  are  men 
accountable  for  their  neglect  or  omission  to  believe  ?  anrt 
why  is  unbelief  a  sin  ?  I  answer.  That  though  laith  is 
the  gift  of  God,  yet  it  is  given  in  answer  to  prayer,  and 

;^  fflay  be  greatly  improved  and  exercised  by  man,  who  is 
deeply  accountable  both  for  his  not  seeking,  or  cot  im- 
proving it  when  obtained.  ,;^=  -  .™  ^  -,«  *l,. 

On  this  same  principle,  repentance  is  the  gift  of 
God;  yet  men  are  blamed  and  condemned  for  im- 
penitence. All  men  may  repent :  for  first,  if  we  take  the 
steps,  or  use  the  means,  God  will  give  uo  the  grace.  Will 
not  the  same  legs  that  carry  a  man  to  tlie  ball-room,  the 
play-house,  or  the  tavern,  carry  him  to  the  house  of  God  ? 
Will  not  the  same  eyes  with  which  lie  may  have  read  a 
novel,  romance,  or  tragedy,  enable  him  to  read  the  holy 
Scriptures  ?  The  same  ears  by  which  he  listens  to  a  pro- 
fane song,  will  enable  him  to  hear  the  word  of  God..    If  a 


JOSHtTA   MARBDEN. 


% 


OOD    UEALS  friTH   MEN   AB   VREE  AOERTB  AND   ACCO'  VBLE   BEINU8. 


spendthrift  may  quit  druDkenoett  because  it  has  hurt  his 
coQstitutioD,  reputation,  and  property,  ivhy  may  not  an-  , , 
other,  because  it  has  hurt  his  soul  ?    If  it  be  said,  (his  is  ,. 
FelagiaDism ;  I  deny  the  chaise.  '     . 

During  his  day  of  grace,  (and  every  man  has  a  day  of 
grace,)  the  sinner  may  cease  to  do  evil  and  learn  to  do 
well.  What,  by  his  own  inherent  power?  No;  but  by 
the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation  (initial  salvation) 
to  all  men  ;  teaching  them,  that  denying  ungodliness  and 
worldly  lusts,  they  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in 
this  present  world.  The  light  that  lighteneth  every  man 
that  cometh  into  the  world,  appearing  to  the  heathens  as 
the  light  of  the  moon  and  stars,  but  to  the  Christian  as  the 
light  of  the  sun.  Some  portion  of  the  divine  Spirit  is  im- 
parted to  every  human  breast  to  profit  by  it  withal.  If  raeu 
resist  the  Holy  Ghost,  if  they  bury  their  talents,  refuse  to 
come  to  Christ  that  they  may  have  life,  deny  the  Lord 
that  bought  them,  shut  their  ears  to  the  calls  of  God,  make 
their  light  darkness,  and  say,  I  will  not  believe ;  if  they 
receive  the  grace  of  God  in  vain,  refiise  to  work  out  their 
salvation  with  fear  and  trembling;  if  they  will  not  co-work 
with  God,  neglect  to  make  their  calling  and  election  sure, ,.; 
and  instead  of  rcturiiii^,  to  wander  further  from  tho.^^ 
Lord;  then,  truly,  die  bt&ine  of  their  ruin  rests  upon  theit! 
own  heads.  \ 

There  is  an  infinite  willingness  on  the  part  of  God  to  .  . 
savcuien:  witness  his  word  in  ten  thousand  declarations,^ 
of  mei'cy  towards  even  those  who  nevertheless  refuse  tort 
turn  to  hiin*     There  is  an  infinite  willingness  on  the  part ;, . 
of  Christ  to  save  U^em :  witness  his  death,  which,  if  they  . 
believe,  is  an  atonement  for  their  sins.    He  gave  himself  a 

an 


94 


MEMOiaS   OF 


in   WHAT  MANNKR  I  FOUND  THE  ORACE  09  OOD. 


-» 
^ 


ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified  in  due  time.  There  is  aa 
infinite  willingness  on  the  part  of  the  Spirit  to  save  men : 
'witness  his  tender  drawings,  patient  strivings,  and  protract- 
ed operations  in  the  human  heart.    But  to  return. 

When  I  was  convinced  th&t  faith  was  the  only  means 
or  condition  of  salvation,  it  was  my  continual  prayer, 
Lord,  give  me  faith;  nor  was  Jehovah  slow  to  hear,  or 
impotent  to  save.  .^v**.. 

I  went  on  Whitsunday,  1708,  to  Manchester,  where  V 
had  an  opportunity  of  hearing  that  venerable  man  of  God, 
Mr.  Mather,  from  "Do  ye  now  believe ?"  The. words 
were  rendered  a  blessing  to  my  soul,  and  his  treatment  of 
them  gave  me  so  clear  a  view  of  the  history  and  mystery 
of  faith,  that  I  resolved  in  the  strength  of  divine  grace  to 
seek  till  I  found,  if  I  sought  it  till  my  dying  hour.  In  the 
afternoon,  Mr.  George  Marsden  preached  from  **  Who  is 
willing  to  consecrate  his  service  to  the  Lord :"  after  which 
there  was  a  love-feast ;  many  spoke  of  the  dealings  of  the 
Lord  with  their  souls,  many  testified  that  God  had  forgiv- 
en them  for  his  name  sake  :  but  alas !  my  heart  was  as 
hard  as  the  nether  millstone ;  it  seemed  as  though  I  could 
neither  repent,  believe,  nor  do  any  thing  else.  !Neverthe- 
less,  in  hope  believing  against  hope,  I  determined  never  to 
leave  the  chapel  till  mercy  spoke  my  sins  forgiven.  The 
meeting  concluded,  but  I  remained  in  the  gallery,  and  with 
la  young  man,  my  companion,  kneeled  down  on  the  bottom 
of  the  pew,  and  began  to  pray  in  an  agony  for  a  present 
lalvation :  some  of  the  leaders,  together  with  some  pious  fe- 
males, came  into  the  gallery,  and  joined  in  praying  qver  me 
for  near  an  hour,  till  finally  the  power  of  God  came  down 
in  a  most  vital  manner.    The  dark  clouds  of  unbelief  Tan- 


JOSHUA  MARBOBN. 


IS 


HAD   A  TBJIDEK  CONICIENCB— DKLIOITBD   IN   mATBk  AND   PKAIRB. 


jshed  from  my  miod :  I  felt  power  to  lay  bold  oo  Chrirt 
by  faith.  My  burden  fell  off;  even  my  body  felt  tbe  di- 
TJoe  ioilueDce :  dow  were  my  lips  filled  with  praises,  and 
mine  eyes  with  tears  of  grateful  love ;  tbe  scripture  that 
made  the  deepest  impression  on  my  heart  was,  *'  Thy  sins 
which  are  many,  are  all  ibrgiven  thee.'*  I  returned  home 
with  a  light  heart  and  a  cheerful  countenance;  my  peace 
continued  most  sweet,  and  for  some  time  my  whole  soul 
was  drawn  out  in  prayer;  truly, 

"  Fnyer  my  divine  employment  wu, 
t|****.-*     «•  And  in  my  pleuure  pnht." 

;^|had  now  power  over  my  besetments;  if  the  tempter 
came,  my  soul  fled  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  the  enemy  re- 
treated: after  this  my  conscience  was  so  teuder  that  I 
could  hardly  attend  to  lawful  things  without  feeling  some 
misgivings.  ^ji  fx^i 

•>  I  felt  an  idle  thought  u  actual  wielcsdncM, 

**  And  groanM  for  tbe  minutest  fault  In  tsquiilt*  di8treM.f  ^^ 

.  To  obviate  the  cavils  of  bfidels,  sophists,  and  frozen-  ^ 
hearted  moralists,  with  regard  to  the  change  that  I  feh, 
lest  this  as  well  as  the  other  parts  of  spiritual  religioa 
should  be  called  enthusiasm  and  delusion  :  in  the  divine 
influence  that  renovated  my  soul,  I  heard  no  voice*— a 
voice  spoken  to  the  ear  does  not  always  enter  the  heart ; 
man  speaks  to  the  ear :  God  has  reserved  to  hintself  the 
prerogative  of  speaking  to  the  heart,  and  when  he  docf, 
the  powerful  language  is  always  felt.  ^     ^ 

2.  I  saw  no  similitude,  my  eyes  were  shut ;  and  yet  the 
«yi'8  of  my  understanding,  were  enlightened  to  know  the 


?6 


JUEMOIRS  6V 


'^■'•if.r/^T'^'tntllTVAh  PROPERTIES  OF  THE  R«W  CBEATUHE. 


9- 


hope  of  my  calling,  and  what  the  riehes  of  the  glory  of 
his  inheritance  in  the  saints.  The  change  that  took  place 
ivas  spiritual,  a  divine  agency  acting  upon  the  powers  of 
the  soul  in  a  way  peculiar  to  himself.  The  change  was  a 
real,  sensible  change  :  no  flash  or  impression  of  the  fancy, 
no  vibration  of  the  nerves,  no  iiiusioa  of  the  imagination,  but 
a  solemn  inward  feeMng  of  the  peace,  favour,  and  approba- 
tion of  the  Lord ;  the  change  was  supernatural ;  rising  above 
the  level  of  nature,  and:  producing  effects  as  diffident  as 
the  difference  betwixt  spiritual  and  human  agents.  The 
change  was  rational,  the  new  creature  was  invested  with 
new  powers  of  love,  joy,  fear,  hope,  delight,  springing  from 
a  new  kingdom  of  righteousness  planted  in  the  soul.  The 
renewed  heart  changed  the  sentiments,  the  view  chang. 
•d  the  life.  God's  love  became  the  ruling  principle,  OodV, 
word  the  standard,  and  his  glory  the  end  of  my  actional 
Is  any  religion  but  this  worthy  of  the  gospel  ?  can  a  reli- 
gion that  does  not  change  the  heart  be  acceptable  to  a 
heart-searching  God  ?  Is  it  not  as  rational  to  believe  that 
God  has  as  much  pv')wev  over  the  human  heart  as  he  has 
over  the  elements !  He  that  biddeth  the  winds  to  blow ,  can 
with  the  gales  of  his  Spirit  refresh  man's  heart !  He  that 
commanded  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  can  illuminate 
the  human  soul !  He  that  biddeth  the  thunders  roar,  can 
awaken  the  guilty  conscience  !  He  that  maketh  the  earth 
fruitful,  can  sow  the  seeds  of  eternal  life  in  the  human 
breast !  He  that  has  kindled  the  solar  fire,  can  warm  the 
sinner's  cold  bosom,  and  bid  his  frozen  affections  glow  with 
gratitude,  love,  and  zeal :  in  fine,  to  deny  God's  power  over 
the  human  soul  is  to  i  ivance  a  position  absolutely  atheis- 
tical; to  suppose  this  power  uiiDeccssary,  argues  deistical 


JOSHUA  JKARSDBN. 


BROUOBT  IMTO  CONDSMNATION  TBROUOH  LEVITT. 


pride;  to  assert  that  this  power  is  never  applied  for  the 
purposes  and  in  the  way  above-mentiooed,  pharisaic  blind- 
ness and  self-su/ficieocy :  but  to  the  law  and  to  the  testimo- 
ny ;  except  ye  be  bom  again,  (re-born^  fromregenero,  Latin,) 
you  can  in  nowise  enter  the  kingdom  of  God ;  old  things 
must  be  done  away  ,*  there  must  be  a  new  creation,  a  pass- 
iug  froQi  darkness  to  illumination,  from  death  to  spiritual 
vitality  and  animation :  a  change  from  the  bondage  of  sin 
to  the  freedom  of  salvation,  from  t!ie  image  of  Satan  to  the 
kingdom  and  image  of  God's  dear  Son ;  and  this  change  is 
Ihe  foundation  of  tliat  holiness,  without  which  no  man  can 
see  the  Lord,    ■'^'^m^'^trm':^-^::.^:'^       ■  " 

A  little  after  I  obtained  this  blessing,  I  was  a  good  deal 
disturbed  by  a  person  telling  me,  that  I  was  but  just  enter- 
ed upon  the  field  of  battle ;  for  it  appeared  to  me  that  I 
should  neither  know  war  nor  come  into  condemnation  any 
more.  But  it  was  not  long  before  a  natural  levity  of  dis- 
position brought  me  into  great  darkuess  and  distress,  and 
Bornetimes  to  the  very  brink  of  depair ;  but  then,  just  as  I 
would  seem  to  be  giving  up  all  hope,  and  al/out  to  cast 
away  my  confidence,  the  Lord  broke  in  upon  r  le  in  a  bless- 
ed and  most  merciful  manner,  granting  me  such  a  luminous 
sense  of  his  presense  and  love,  as  filled  me  witli  sensations 
of  the  most  ravishing  joy.  If  I  felt  the  least  taing  that 
weighed  upon  my  conscience,  I  carried  it  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  in  prayer,  seldom  intermitting  the  exercise  till  I 
found  both  sweet  relief  and  conscious  pardon. 

My  mind  was  frequently  drawn  out  in  an  inexpressible 
manner  to  plead  with  God  for  poor  sinners,  insomuch,  that 
while  hearing  sermons  I  would  pray  all  the  time  tliat  the 
Lord  would  awaken  and  enlighten  the  guilty  and  benighted* 


■*; 


T8 


■  ^ 


MEMOIRS  OF 


i"i  ■'^ii'ii^jirfBiiJjniti' 


TBI  SWEETKKSB  CF  A  JCSTIFIED  STATE. 


The  word  of  God,  whether  read,  preached,  or  explained) 
was  my  comfort  aod  solace. 


And  oft  with  a  smile  ofdeligbt  I  would  say, 

J'ake  my  health,  fortune,  friends,  name,  and  credit  away; 

But  leave  my  lov'd  Bible,  my  treasure  it  is, 

Tiie  spring  of  my  joy,  and  my  title  to  bliss. 

If  cast  by  misfortune  on  some  distant  isle. 

Where  seasons  ne'er  bloom,  and  the  sicies  never  smile.  '"■ 

Beneath  the  cold  pole,  in  a  region  of  snow. 

Or  the  world's  fiery  zone,  wl»ere  the  solar  beams  glow  5 

With  only  one  volume  my  mind  to  solace, 

I'd  choose  the  pure  records  qf  covenant  grace. 


■  ^j' 


David's  language  was  the  experience  of  my  state,  "O  how 
1  love  thy  law ;  It  is  my  meditation  all  the  day;  I  under- 
stand more  than  the  ancients,  because  I  keep  thy  precepts. 
How  sweet  are  thy  words  unto  my  taste ;  yea,  sweeter  than 
the  honey  to  my  mouth.  O  that  I  had  always  hearkened 
to  thy  commandments,  then  would  my  peace  have  been  as  a 
river,  and  my  righteousness  as  the  waves  of  the  sea."  My 
Bible,  Hymn-Book,  and  Young's  Night  Thoughts,  were 
my  constant  companions. 

Happy  state,  when  the  soul  desires  nothing  save  what 
helps  him  in  the  One  great  concern,  walks  in  the  simplicity 
of  faith  and  love,  and  has  sweet  communion  with  the  Lord 
by  prayer  and  meditation :  "  each  prayer  is  answered, 
and  each  wish  resigned."  Truly  then  the  kingdom  of 
God  is  opened  in  the  soul ;  beams  of  spiritual  liglit  glad- 
den the  mind ;  "  all  nature  smiles,  and  every  grove  is 
gay." 

Muse,  range  Hesperia's  groves,  Arcadia's  bower*, 

Fair  Tempe's  vale,  and  fancy's  gayest  shores.  * 

Let  the  Itright  di'mond  ail  its  lustre  lend,  itf  * 

Anci  orient  morn  its  softest  blushes  send ; 

Let  damask  roses  purest  fragrance  bring, 

Its  stores  t!ie  autumn,  and  U^  colour?  spring : 


J0SUV4  MARSDRK. 


7§ 


THE  TAAIOVa  CAUSES  OF  A  CHRISTIAN'S  BAPflNESa. 


<r     ¥ 


•I' 


With  all  ntre  things  that  every  climate  bless, 

And  call  tb'  assemblage  earthly  happiness. 

Then  soar  away,  my  muse,  to  that  fair  tree. 

On  the  high  top  of  rugged  Calvary ; 

Bring  thence  sweet  faith  that  lives  and  blooms  beside 

Tlie  bleeding  cross  whereon  Emmanuel  died ; 

Bring  the  seraphic  bliss  his  wounds  impart, 

When  love,  redeeming  love,  plays  round  the  heart ; 

When  mercy  speaks  the  thrilling  word,  "  my  cMid,** 

And  God  and  man  are  sweetly  reconcit'd ! 

Bring  the  rapt  sweets  tliat  from  devotion  rise, 

The  glowiug  heart,  the  tear  sufTused  eyes ; 

Let  slcy-born  peace  attend,  and  holy  hope, 

Sweet  cordial  in  life's  many-coloui  d  cup. 

With  calm  content  and  spotless  sanctity. 

Bright  transcript  of  th'  unseen  Deity  : 

And  let  impartial  reason  now  decide, 

To  which  felicity  is  most  allied. 

Impartial  reason  with  an  herald's  voice. 

Gives  the  bright  palm  to  virtue's  sitotless  joys  I 


The  life  is  regulated  by  a  divine  rule  which  the  con^; 
science  approves— >siDful  afTections  are  nipped  in  the  bud; 
aad  turbulent  passions  are  not  suffered  to  ruffle  the  calm 
surface  of  the  soul— remorse  is  banished  from  the  breast, 
and  guilty  fears  can  no  longer  arm  death  with  tenfold  ter- 
rors— the  calm  of  heaven  is  felt  within,  nor  does  the  soul 
tremble  at  the  prospect  of  evil  tidings— the  new-born 
Christian,  feclug  a  holy  indifference  to  the  world,  is  nei 
ther  much  perplexed  by  its  cares,  nor  shocked  by  it^ 
frowns  and  disappointments.  "-t^'H '  3 

1   The  day  glides  sweetly  o'er  their  heads', 
ixSp-  '  i    Made  up  of  innocence  and  love ; 
||||,nd  soft  and  peaceful  as  the  shades, 
A  h  Their  nightly  minutes  sweetly  move 


Watts. 


M 


Pining  jealousy  can  no  longer  form  a  hell  within,  the 
baleful  passions,  hatred,  revenge,  envy,  ill-nature,  fretful- 
Qcss,  discontent,  melancholy,  despair,  have  no  influence  in 
the  peaceful  m^neions  of  the  soul :  but  in  their  place,  love, 


♦'*   ill 


a^' 


MBMOIBS  Of 


'   '%'tT^.i^.k'.-ii>\vSMlMMi«>w*. . 


MO  aiBD  TO  00MB  AOAIN  INTO  OOMOCMITATION. 


/^«/"i 


joy,  peace,  loag-sufferiDg,  gentleness;  itoodoess,  faith,  meek- 
ne&s,  temperance ;  the  soul  feels  a  divine  harmony  within 
sweeter  than  the  lyre  of  OrpheuSf  and  infinitely  more  de- 
lightful in  the  ear  of  reason  than  all  the  fancied  music  of 
the  spheres.  **  The  good  man  now  Is  satisfied  from  him- 
selP — from  those  rich  streams  that  flow  from  the  fountain 
of  renewed  nature.  He  has  no  need  to  ransack  the  world 
in  quest  of  happiness;  he  has  a  treasure  in  his  breast  a 
thousand  times  more  rich  than  gold  and  gems — an  inward 
peace  that  passes  all  understanding.  This  state,  both  in 
present  enjoyment  and  perpetuation,  Is  no  doubt  the  privi- 
lege of  every  child  of  God. 

Does  the  Holy  Scripture  say  there  is  any  necessity  that 
the  soul  should  ever  again  come  into  bondage  and  darkness  ? 
Are  we  not  exhorted  to  jtand  fast  in  the  liberty  where- 
with Christ  hath  made  us  free  ?  to  walk  in  the  light  as  he 
is  in  the  light  ?  May  not  the  path  of  the  just  shine 
brighter  and  brighter  even  to  the  perfect  day  ?  and  he 
who  has  clean  hands,  go  on  his  way,  and  wax  stronger 
and  stronger  ?  Are  not  we  exhorted  to  perfect  holiness 
in  the  fear  of  God  ?  to  keep  that  committed  to  us  ?  to  hold 
fast  till  he  come  ?  to  abound  in  hope  through  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  ?  to  continue  in  love  ?  to  grow  in  grace, 
and  consequently  in  happiness  ?  to  add  to  our  faith  virtue, 
knowledge,  temperance,  patience,  i^Hnefs,  brotherly- 
kindness,  charity,  &c.  Will  a  declension  in  piety  promote 
our  happiness,  humility,  or  eternal  beatitude  ?  Alas!  the  re- 
verse is  always  the  case.  It  may  be  answeptd,  relapses 
make  us  more  ser^tible  of  the  need  of  a  Saviour,  of  his  blood, 
assistance,  and  intercession ;  they  render  us  m©re  humble, 
more  dependent  on  tlie  Lord,  more  distrustful  of  ourselves ; 


.  ik 


JOSHUA   MAKSD£N« 


81 


THE  DESroN   OF  COD  IS  TO   DELIVER  178  rSOM  ALt  8I». 


in  fine,  that  thiij"  bring  more  honour  to  Christ,  more  praise 
to  free  grace,  and  will  finallj  cause  us  to  sing  louder  in 
liea\en.  All  this  is  very  fine,  if  it  were  true;  but  I  am 
fearful  it  is  more  like  the  lullaby  of  the  Antinomian^  than 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  the  epistles  of  Paul  and  James,  and 
the  purity  and  holiness  of  religion. 

I  would  humbly  ask,  is  not  Christ  more  honoured  by 
holiness  than  by  sin  ?  Was  he  not  manifested  in  the  flesh 
to  destroy  the  works  of  the  Devil  ?  Does  not  he  redeem 
his  people  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  to  hunself  a  pecu- 
liar people,  zealous  of  good  works  ?  I  am  afraid  these 
sin-advocating  ministers,  never  preach  from  that  text, 
"  He  that  committeth  sin  is  of  the  Devil ;"  and  I  am  a  lit- 
tle doubtful,  whether  divine  grace  does  not  acquire  more 
praise  by  purifying,  comforting)  illuminating,  and  strength- 
ening the  Christian,  than  by  allowing  him  to  plunge  into 
tlie  mud,  flounder  in  the  pit,  and  defile  himself  by  the 
fiUh  of  impurity  and  transgression.!    I  do  not  deny  that 

*  So  strict  the  path,  as  holy  James  would  stake  It,- 
A  little  wider,  by  your  leave  they  make  it. 
*'  Grace  is  a  precious  bliss,  a  lovely  plant, 
"  But  duty- -ah,  we  hate  your  legal  cant !  '" 

"  The  rigid  saint,  tied  up  by  works  and  law, 
"  The  Gospel's  charms  and  beauty  never  saw.  i  .' 

*'  We  reap  the  blessing,  and  forsootli  allow,  a  •     ,  j 

*'  Such  nide-bound  fools  to  drag  the  miry  plough ; 
*'  On  heaven's  path  immortal  sweets  we  strew,  -//.,  , 

"  And  round  our  steps  gay  thornless  roses  blQW ; 
"  So  glide  along  with  glory  in  our  eye, 
"  And  easy  2,ain  our  mansion  in  the'sky." 
Thus  all  the  soft-ey'd  Solifidian  racf , 
Sta"       'fair  cause  of  piety  and  grace; 
Bi'  .  ,.ial  truth  and  spotless  justice  bleed, 
And  tear  each  righteous  precept  from  the  creed; 
Make  grace  a  cloak  this  inward  vice  to  screen. 
And  Christ,  (O  death,)  a  mipister  of  sin. 

t  The  author  has  been  acquainted  w:Jth  some  preachers  of  this  description  it 
Sovik  Suotla,  who  esinpared  tlie  Chrlstiau  to  a  nut  cast  into  tiic  filth,  the  kernel 

H 


■^ip^f; 


'-.'  tt 


■■>im 


1 


*S 


'^J% . 


t2 


MEMOIRS  OP 


MAtlT  TOCNO  CONVBETB  DO  HOT   RECKON  VPOIT  THE   DOTIBS  AND   TBIALS. 


relapses  may  be  overniled>  and  boundless  mercy  may 
bring  good  out  of  evil ;  but  I  utterly  deny  that  relapses 
have  a  tendency  to  promote  our  holiness  and  salvation  as 
eecessarily  as  a  continuance  in  piety  and  faithfubess. 

.  For  some  time  I  felt  much  rest  from  evil,  and  hardly 
realized  that  1  had  a  corrupt  nature  remainiag ;  but  this 
did  not  continue ;  I  soon  saw  the  necessity  of  incessant  vi- 
gilance and  unremitting  prayer;  and  tliat  difficult  as  it  ap- 
^icared  to  obtain  the  pardoning  love  of  God,  it  was  no  less 
iliificult  to  retain  the  blessing.  One  act  of  faith  obtained 
;!ie  grace,  but  a  continued  exercise  of  faith  wm  absolutely 
and  indispensably  necessary  to  preserve  the  blessing. 
Here  many  young  converts  err;  they  imagine  vhen 
rj  '>pted  into  tlie  family  of  God,  all  is  done,  and  seem  to 
think  little  or  nothiog  of  the  subsequent  warfare,  diligence, 
watchfulness,  self-denial,  faith,  fortitude,  courage,  and  holy 
resolution,  necessary  to  preserve  and  increase  their  early 
graces.  ,,,u 


In  fancy's  glass  the  future  bliss  is  seen : 
But  no  sharp  interval  of  toil  between; 
No  fiery  darts,  no  agonizing  throes. 
No  bitter  fears,  no  heart-appalling  woes  ; 
Increasing  sweets,  and  rosy  comforts  smile, 
And  bloom  and  bliss  the  fl'.iw'ry  way  beguile^ 


of  which  is  the  soul,  and  the  ohcH  the  Xxx'y .  Thus,  gay  they,  the  body  may  be 
defiled  by  sin ;  the  body  of  a  believer  may  swear,  get  drunk,  tell  lies,  and  commit 
adultery,  but  the  soul  is  pure.  This  reminds  me  of  &  German  Elector,  (wli^  was 
likewise  an  archbishop,)  one  day  profanely  swearing,  asked  a  peasant,  who  seemed 
to  wonder, '  What  he  was  surprised  atV  *  To  hear  an  t  <,;ibi8hop  swear,'  answer- 
ed tbe  peasant.  '  I  swear,'  replied  the  Elector,  '  not  as  an  archbishop,  but  as  « 
prince.' '  My  lord,'  says  the  peasant, '  when  the  prince  goes  to  the  devil,  what  will 
become  of  the  archbishop  V  So  of  these  body  sinners,  when  the  flesh  goes  to  the 
devil,  what  will  become  of  the  Spirit  ?  Let  not  sin  reign  in  your  mortal  bodies, 
that  ye  should  obey  it  in  the  lusts  thereof.  I  keep  my  body  under.  Mortify  the 
deeds  of  the  body.  As  strangers  and  pilgrims,  abstain  from  flesbly  lusts  that  war 
asaiastthe  Spirit 


JOSHUA  HARSDKN. 


LOST  HT  riKBT  IiOVE— Wa      OFF  HT  OUABD,   AMD  OATE  WAT  TO  SIX, 


_^-- 


A 


Till  soon  the  path  is  chuCd ;  and  where,  alas ! 
'Twas  easy,  green,  and  soft  as  vernal  grass, 
Bleak  Alps  of  rugged  opposition  rise. 
And  sable  doubts  enrelope  all  the  allies: 
Torrents  of  deep  affliction  rapid  pour. 
And  rise,  and  boil,  and  dash,  and  fbtoi,  and  roar. 
Encircling  ills,  and  unseen  trials,  malce 
The  lonely  path  seem  desert,  bog,  or  bralie ; 
Where  pricldy  thorns  arise,  and  noxious  weed, 
To  choalc,  and  stunt,  aud  blight  the  heavenly  seed. 
And  now  corruptions  rise,  a  viper  race, 
'-^ting  the  young  hopes,  and  irritate  the  case ; 
Pride,  anger,  and  concupiscence  set  in, 
A  refluent  tide,  and  each  besetting  sin       . 
Of  former  times  returns  with  double  force, 
1^  check  his  progress  or  divert  his  course ; 
Hard  rocks  of  barren  self-d^-aUtl  goad. 
And  fear  and  trouble  roughen  all  the  road. 
Till  the  tir'd  rcas'ning  soul  with  flesh  confers, 
And  then,  as  sure  as  God  Is  just,  she  errs. 


Whether  it  was  by  miscalculations  of  this  kiud,  or  hj 
the  strong  temptations  of  the  enemy,  and  want  of  know- 
ledge of  his  devices :  whether  by  ceasing  to  believe,  to 
watch  and  pray,  or  by  yielding  to  nature  in  some  unsus* 
pecting  moment  some  forbidden  indulgence,  I  cannot  prc> 
cisely  say ;  but  I  grew  cold,  was  off  my  guard,  and  again 
fell  into  sin ;  and  for  some  time  I  continued  floundering  in 
the  mire,  and  entangled  in  the  snares  of  the  sin  that  so 
easily  beset  me.  I  did  not  indeed  outwardly  depart  from 
God,  nor  cast  off  his  fear;  I  did  not  cease  to  attend  the 
means  of  grace ;  I  did  not  restrain  regular  prayer  before 
God  J  I  did  not  leave  tlie  society,  nor  neglect  any  of  the 
outward  duties  of  religion;  I  was  not  the  willing  slave  of 
Satan ;  an  act  of  unfaithfiilness  cost  me  many  sighs,  groans, 
and  tears ;  his  service  was  not  tlie  mild  and  easy  yoke  of 
a  parent,  but  the  hard  and  galling  bondage  of  a  tyrant ;  I 
sinned  as  unwiliiugly  as  a  thief  goes  to  the  halter,  or  a  fool 
to  the  correction  of  the  stocks.  But  I  had  lost  my  first 
love;  that  vigorous  tone  of  soul  by  which  I  lived  every 


A4 


MEUOXRS  OF 


LOST  MT   TEROCitNE83  Or  CONICIENCC,   AMI)   MT  aUfOtHS  /.TK. 

hour  to  God  was  relaxed ;  all  my  flne  ieDsibilit|r  of  etn- 
fcieoce  was  blunted ;  I  could  no  lorigei  gay, 


^:* 


Whom  havft  I  on  earth  below  f 
Thee  and  only  thee  I  know ; 
Whom  have  1  Jn  heayen  but  thee  1 
Thou  art  all  in  all  tomt ! 

All  my  treasure  ia  tboy« ;  . . 
All  my  riches  is  thy  Icrve : 
Other  comforts  I  deepise, 
Ziove  is  all  my  pai'adise. 


e 


r»«i-<f. 


The  difference  betwixt  my  former  slate  and  this  was 
great.  Before,  when  a  teoiptation  presented,  I  instantly 
looked  to  Christ,  and  the  snare  was  brolcea ;  b!it  now,  when 
tempted,  I  was  either  off  my  guard,  or  reasoned  myeeli' 
into  the  expediency  or  unavoidablrnese  of  it.  While  un- 
der  the  power  of  faith  1  had  strength  promptly  to  deny 
myself  in  ail  particulars,  where  I  eithci'  saw  the  evil  or 
doubted  the  propriety ;  now,  if  the  thing  did  not  appear 
manifestly  evil,  my  conscience  partly  consented  i<y  its 
adoption,  and  partly  reasoned  on  its  harmlessness.  While 
under  a  tender  sense  of  the  prescicc  of  Ood,  the  least 
emotions  of  the  will  towards  evil  were  watched;  thiat  care- 
fulness  subsided  to  a  mere  repugnance  to  the  outward  act 
of  sin.  In  the  first  situation  I  did  every  thing  to  please 
Ood,  and  with  an  eye  to  his  glory;  but  now  the  propriety 
of  a  thing,  its  being  suitable  to  my  situation  as  a  member 
of  society,  or  necessary  to  keep  my  conscience  unalarmed, 
or  my  profession  unstained,  were  principal  reasons.  In 
the  first  insiADce  I  did  nothing  but  from  a  principle  of 
faith,  I  was  right  and  clear  in  my  own  mind  as  to  its  law- 
fulness; now  I  did  many  things,  the  lawfulness  of  which  I 
Scrupled.    Secret  prayer  was  then  my  delight ;  now  it  be- 


4: 


JOSHUA  MAKSOSN. 


85 


THE  AWrUL  CONTIU;      BBTWIZT  A  BTATB  OT  ORACr.    4!tD  BACKSblUINO. 


came  a  task  to  which  I  had  to  compel  myself  bj  a  kiod  of 
coQstraiut.  My  only  view  tlien  was  to  be  holy  and  girai 
up  to  God ;  now  the  desire  of  mitny  iinaecessaiy  ?Tid  some 
hurtful  tbiug  wer*»  lf*crwoven  wit^  my  prospects.  ^ 

I  might  truce  this  difL'erence  through  a  variety  of  iniDU- 
t%  and  to  h  Riv.ch  greater  extent;  but  suffice  it  to  say,  that 
the  fine  gold  av'S  become  dim.  I  no  longer  rejoiced  in  God 
as  my  si' \-pardoningf  reconciled  Father;  I  no  longer  felt  the 
spontautou?  and  peacefully  approving  smile  of  my  own 
heart ;  I  los>;  mV  unusual  tenderness  of  coLTcience ;  I  lost 
my  sweet  filial  confidence  in  the  Lord,  the  pure  breathing 
ardors  of  my  soul  vp^ished  away,  and  partial  darkness  suc- 
ceeded the  beautiful  sunshine  of  divine  favour  to  :  use  the 
words  of  an  elegant  writer,/'  How  different  the  scorching 
sand,  the  briars  and  serpents  of  this  desert,  from  the  green 
pastures  in  which  I  once  fed,  and  the  still  waters  by  which 
I  once  refreshed  my  weary  souL  Once  I  walkc  i  wiih  God 
— I  could  behold  his  face  with  confidence,  the  gloiy  of  the 
Lord  was  arisen  upon  me,  and  I  walked  all  the  day  long 
in  the  light  of  his  countenance.  Once  I  had  free  access  to 
the  throne  of  his  grace;  I  approached  it  with  huiiblebold' 
uess,and  there  are  many  places  that  can  witness  tc  the  tears 
of  joy  and  sorrow  with  which  I  poured  out  my  soul  before 
God;  but  now  the  recollection  fills  me  with  dismay.  I 
have  now  little  heart  to  pray;  conscience, indeed,  drags  me 
along  to  duty,  but  I  enter  the  presence  of  God  with  a  sla- 
vish fear,  or  a  chilling  indifference ;  once  I  had  swcet  com- 
munion with  the  Saviour  of  sinners.  When  oppressed  with 
a  sense  of  guilt,  I  saw  the  all-sufficiency  of  his  8?».crifice, 
and  the  perfection  of  his  righteousness ;  by  believing  I  en- 
tered iato  r($t.    Under  every  accusation  he  was  near  that 


^6 


MEMOIRS  OF 


IT   la   AN   EVIL  AND  BITTKB  THIMO   TO   DEPART   FKOM  ODD. 


■f 


justifieth  me  in  every  duty  and  io  every  trial;  he  encou- 
raged me  by  sayii  my  grace  is  sufficient  for  tliee.  I  tvUI 
never  leave  thee  Lar  forsake  thee;  now  I  only  see  my  iios 
and  my  enemies,  but  where  is  my  Saviour  and  my  helper  ? 
Ouce  I  experienced  the  gracious  influences  of  the  Holy  Spi< 
lit,  by  these  I  was  enlivened,  refreshed,  and  enlightened ;  I 
clearly  saw  the  parts  of  duty^  1  could  harmonize  provi> 
dence  and  promises,  I  claimed  the  privilege  of  a  child) 
pnd  an  heir  of  God ;  but  now,  the  comforter,  who  should 
relieve  my  soul,  is  far  from  me;  I  have  grieved  the  Holy 
Spirit  of  God,  by  which  1  was  sealed  to  the  day  of  redemp- 
tion.  Oh !  what  enlargements  of  soul  had  1  in  his  ordi- 
nances ;  how  often  did  I  find  the  sanctuary  to  be  no  less 
than  the  house  of  God  end  the  gate  of  heaven  to  my 
soul;  how  sweet  was  the  word  to  my  taste;  yea,  sweeter 
than  honey  ^.o  my  lips;  what  a  feast  did  I  enjoy  at  his  table; 
liis  flesh  was  meat  indeed,  and  his  blood  was  drink  indeed; 
and  Oh!  with  aUhX  cheerfulness  I  carried  my  cross;  I 
could  even  ?;;<!r^y  m  tribulation  also;  for  as  the  sufferings 
abounded,  iiit  consolations  did  much  more  abound;  the 
«torm  without  raged  in  vain,  for  all  was  peace  within— but 
now  conscience  gnaws  me  like  a  worm,  and  the  promises 
which  should  be  my  support,  are  neither  within  reach  or 
sight.  There  was  a  time  when  I  could  see  him  not  only 
in  ordinances,  but  in  providences ;  not  only  in  his  word, 
but  also  in  his  works ;  I  could  enjoy  him  in  my  creature 
comforts;  I  relished  his  love  in  my  daily  food,  in  my 
pleasant  walks.  But  now  I  know  not  whether  any  thing 
I  possess  is  sent  in  mercy  or  wrath.  ^  I  can  find  him  io 
nothing ;  beheld,  I  go  forward,  but  he  i&not  there ;  back- 
-vard, but  1  cannot  perceife  himi^oRlMi^tbaiid,  where 


JOSHUA  MARSDGN. 


ft 


THE   BACKILIDXR   IM    HEABT   IS   WlhLZD    WITH    BIS  OWN   WAYS. 


he  doth  work,  but  I  caunot  behold  him;  he  hideth  himself 
on  the  right  hand,  that  1  canaot  see  him :  and  now  might 
1  not  8»7,  hast  thou  not  procured  this  unto  thysell,  in 
that  thou  hast  forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God,  when  he  led 
thee  in  the  way  ?  And  now  what  bast  thou  to  do  in  the 
way  of  Egypt  ?  to  drink  the  waters  of  Sihor  ?  oi  what  hast 
thou  to  do  in  the  way  of  Assyria?  to  dr'  k  ihe  waters 
of  the  river?  Thine  own  wickedness  shal  thee, 

and  thy  backslidings  shall  reprove  thee.  re- 

fore,  and  see,  that  it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bit  thoa 

hast  forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  that  my  fear  is  not 
in  thee,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts.  ^ 


■  ««*»-•#: 


'^tf^hj^'. 


What  deep  tdnietions  date  their  rise  from  thb? 
The  loss  of  Jesus  is  the  loss  of  bliss ; 
Who  flies  his  Maker,  stamps  a  curse  on  all 
The  sweet  enjoyments  of  this  nether  ball. 
The  more  he  wanders,  still  the  more  undone. 
tJo  bliss  substantial  blooms  beneath  the  sun ; 
A  weary  waste  appears  on  every  hand, 
Rough  rocks,  ni^t  brooding  sky,  and  barren  sand. 
ICu  bright,  no  smiling  avenue  appears, 
But  guilty  shame,  and  spirit-frightening  fears  ^ 
At  every  point  the  tortured  soul  is  sore. 
With  keener  pangs  than  any  felt  before. 
A  thousand  faded  sweets  illusive  rise, 
A  thousand  visions  of  departed  joys; 
Those  happy  days,  when  prayer  aspiring  fleiw 
To  the  blue  sky  on  every  breath  be  drew. 
When  every  moment,  in  its  rapid  flight, 
I>ropt  from  its  wings  the  balm  of  new  delight; 
Are  past,  and  vanished,  as  a  lovely  gleam 
Of  morning  radiance  or  delightful  dream. 
While  busy  thought  alone  the  past  retains, 
Embitters  loss,  and  aggravates  his  pains; 
His  peace  and  vigour,  light  and  joy,  are  past^ 
So  blossoms  lose  their  beauty  by  a  blast. 
Where  opening  tints  of  (kir  devotion  shed 
Their  living  bloom  and  beauty  round  his  head ; 
Spring  the  rank  weeds  6f  levity  and  vice. 
And  choak  the  rising  plant  of  paradise. 

There  are,  generally  speaking,  three  degrees  of  backsli- 
<nog.    The  LaodiceaDB  were  guilty  of  the  first :  they  left 


4* 


.»w, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


1.25 


IttlM    12.5 
^  K   |2.2 

m 

U    1 1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14SS0 

(716)  872-4503 


'V- 


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,»■ 


^^^ 


^A^ 


^^<^ 


£ 


t 


■•? 


MEMOIRS   OV 


THRBB  DXeiEBS  IIT  BAOniilDtllO  rROM  OOD. 


sa^ 


or  lost  their  first  love,  and  with  that  blessing,  all  the  ten* 
der  sensibilities  of  soul  which  form  the  most  delightful  part 
of  the  deeply  devoted  believer^s  haj^iness  and  commuQioo 
with  God. 

2.  Backsliding  in  heart,  wheo  in  quest  of  some  sinful 
pursuit,  or  under  the  influence  of  at  least  one  or  more 
criminal  passions,  the  heart  becomes  greatly  alienated 
from  God ;  if  duties  are  performed,  they  are  fonial:  if 
prayer  is  offerfid  up,  it  is  cold  and  heartless:  religious 
conversation  is  no  longer  attended  to:  the  word  of  God 
is  not  read  i  devotion  is  often  restrained  altogeth^,  to 
make  way  for  worldly  business  or  unnecessary  visits: 
evil  passions  predominate :  the  tongue  is  no  longer  guarded  t 
slander,  evil-speaking,  and  rash,  vain,  or  passionate  expres- 
sions, are  the  consequence.  The  soul  grows  carnally  se- 
cure; self-examination  is  laid  aside;  and  tenderness  of  con- 
science is  vanished  away.  Tet,  amidst  this  sa'i  defection 
of  the  noblest  functions  of  the  heart,  there  may  be  some 
outward  regard  for  religion  kept  up;  such  as  attending  di- 
vine worship,  entertaining  the  ministers  of  Christ,  support- 
ing the  outworks  of  the  church,  by  at  least  some  kind  of 
contributions;  the  exterior  conduct  may  be  free  from 
blame,  and  the  life  from  gross  enormities ;  some  attention 
may  be  paiJ  to  the  rotine  of  piety,  and  even  a  rigid  ex- 
actness in  maintaining  orthodox  opinions;  but  in  vain  do 
we  seek  for  the  ardencies  of  love,  the  meltings  of  peni- 
tence, the  boldness  of  faith,  the  holy  fervency  of  prayer, 
the  meekness  of  patience  and  humility,  the  disenterested- 
ness  of  pure  and  undiscouraged  zeal,  the  openness  of  sin- 
cerity, the  impartiality  of  reproof,  and  the  candour  of 
prompt,  thankful  acknowledgment  in  the  event  of  a  fault* 


.  ./• 


'%' 


JOSHtTA  MA&fiBEN. 


r 


zsttm 


maaats 


THIMD  BTAOK  OF  BACISLIDIIie  18  AwyVL  AFOSTACT. 

Alas !  alasl  the  backiUd^  in  heart  seldom  iKMKeeses  any 

of  these. 

3.  The  tbhrd  aod  last  degree  of  bu^lidmg,  is  a  de- 
clension from  the  form,  as  well  s»  the  power  (^  godlkiesa. 
Here  is  no  exterior  of  piety ;  the  dog  returns  to  his  vomit, 
and  the  sow  that  was  washed  to  her  wallowing  in  tbemhre. 
The  sinner  Again  plunges  into  the  world  and  all  itsolea- 
sures;  into  sin,  and  all  its  abominations;  perhaps  the  ic- 
volter  becomes  more  wicked  than  at  any  fornix  period; 
may  join  with  his  compsmionS  to  scoff  religion;  nay,  may 
even  disbelkve  it :  and  from  going  in  the  way  of  sinaers^" 
and  standit^  in  the  council  of  the  ungodly,  may  ^^  1**^ 
have  the  hardihood  in  wickedness  to  sit  in  the  seat  of  the 
scorner,  and  contemn  it  altogether.  Being  blinded  by 
the  god  of  this  world,  he  is  given  up  to  believe  a  lie,  to 
deny  the  Lord  tiiat  bought  him,  and  count  his  former  ex- 
perience mere  impressions,  or  downright  enthusiasm.^ 
He  now  hates  tho  people  of  God  with  a  pelfect  hatred, 
and  aspires  to  the  terrible  infamy  of  being  an  avowed 
infidel.    ■  ^^ "  ''^  \'r  "■  •**'■'.-■ 


i; 


y&f  tltt'Iist  restraint  th««#tt  dff;' 
Religion  meets  bis  ridicule  and  scoiT; 
Wiser  than  what  is  written,  now  he  needs 
No  stupid  parsons,  or  fanatic  creeds ; 
Deems  genuine  piety  a  priestcraft  pest, 
•\h  ,  K'  f  Tb«  Bible  nonsense,  hell  a  solfemn  jest ; 


f.  '*?jt 


*  Mr.  Wesley,  In  one  of  his  Journals,  mentions  a  singular  and  awful  instance 
of  mutability  and  apostacy,  in  the  case  of  a  Joseph  Humphreys.  This  man 
had  been  a  Methodist  preacher,  and  professed  annctjfication ;  he  then  became  a 
Calvaniat,  and  joined  himielfto  Mr.  Whitefteldt  he  now  wrote  against  Mr.  Wes- 
l«>y ;  in  a  little  time  he  obtained  ordination  in  the  Church  of  England,  and  ridi'< 
culed  all  heart  religion;  and  when  reminded  of  his  formemp^rieoce;  UiA, 
"  Those  are  some  of  the  mad  tblngs  I  said  in  my  folly.***'^  '^* " 


l^XOIRS  Of 


tB 


Airrvh  ACCOUNT  or  am  apostate  ih  the  Town  or  lOLToif. 


■  '•■'<-^ 


.  Pure  truth  is  foreign  from  faia  souli  and  now,     :  ^  ^^v^f^^^i^ot. 
Though  drenchM  ia  guilt,  no  blushes  die  hisbrtflr.'  "* 
Callous,  unfeeling,  and  without  a  fear. 
Hell  in  the  front,  and  vengeance  in  the  rear ; 
Be  rolls  in  sin,  till  Justice  with  a  frawn,  vJ0^'i^^n% 

Draws  the  red  sword,  and  cuts  the  rebel  dowft.  *^H^.i^,jAr%tj  ^,~* 


\  I  grant,  that  many  who  backslide  do  not  go  to  these 
lengths.  They  would  probably  shudder  at  denying  the 
Lord  that  bought  them ;  they  sin,  but  are  frequently  fol- 
lowed  by  remorse)  and  sometimes  under  tlie  influence  of  a 
wounded  spirit,  are  plunged  into  the  gulf  of  despair;  or  by 
divine  grace,  are  happily  restored  from  the  ruins  of  their 

lall*  ,....-■_  ;u..l.f,»-...4-;.._ _,.!,-   iv ■•*••' -'-'  -*'' 

A  remarkable  instance  of  the  former  kind  of  backsliding, 
and  final  and  total  apostacyj,  happened  about  this  time  in 
the  town  of  BoltoU)  near  which  I  then  resided.  William 
Pope  was  awakened  under  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist 
preachers ;  for  some  time  after  his  awakening,  he  earnestly 
sought,  and  at  last  happily  attained,  to  a  good  degree  of 
the  peace  of  God.  His  conduct  was  now  moitl,  regular, 
and  pious:  but  finally,  not  watching  unto  pr^^ver,  he  be- 
came slack  and  lukewarm.  At  length  he  g  disputa- 
tious, and  was  much  given  to  politics.  He  now  fell  into 
bad  company,  and  the  poisonous  works  of  the  scandalous 
Faille''^  coming  abroad,  he  drank  of  this  putrid  fountain;  he 
quickly  took  his  degree  of  confirmed  infidel,  and  frequent* 
ly  luet^ith  a  company  of  the  same  stamp  to  ridicule  and 
kick  the  Bible  about  the  room. 


•  Tb«  candid  reader,  by  consulting  Simpson's  Plea  for  ReligtOn,  (a  most  ex- 
oeltent  work)  majr  have  an  opportunity  of  comparing  the  lives  and  deaths  of  In- 
Adela  with  true  christians;  and  will  by  this  means  have  an  antidote  against  the 
poieon  of  their  writings.  No  man  would  surely  say,  let  me  die  the  death  of 
(thm»  Vtiae,  or,  Cum  tu»  sit  toima  qiea,  •'  May  my  soul  be  with  thine,'* 


'■''^T'tK^,- 


^iks 


joaAOA  MAmsbejr. 


OF 


3  If. 


ItkaJ^^f  ■  ■ 

(o  these 
^ing  the 
intlj  fol- 
!nce  of  a 
r;  or  by 
I  of  theii; 

^kslidiog, 

s  time  in 

fVilliam 

lethodist 

earnestly 

egree  of 

regular, 

r,  lie  be- 

disputa- 

fell  iDto 

indalous 

ain;  he 

equent- 

ule  and 


most  exo 

atbs  of  In- 

liinst  the 

death  of 

line,"    . 


TSBBIBtC  BLAOTHIMT  OF  WILLIAM  rOPE. 


He  had  not  proceeded  long  in  his  career,  before  God  laid 
the  hand  of  affliction  upon  him*  He  now  felt  some  mis- 
givings relative  to  bis  infidel  creed,  whether  or  not  this 
was  the  best  religion  for  a  dying  man.  He,  at  the  request 
of  his  friends,  sent  for  two  ministers  of  my  acquaintance, 
who  accordingly  visited  him.  On  their  first  interview  he 
manifested  some  slight  signs  of  compunction,  but  on  their 
next  visit  all  traccni  of  even  seeming  penitence  were  swept 
away  by  the  fldod-tides  of  infidelity :  he  rejected  all  coun- , 
set;  told  them  he  hated  God ;  that  he  wished  to  be  above 
Christ,  and  that  he  was  as  full  of  hell  as  ever  he  could  hold. 

While  they  prayed  with  him  he  continued  blaspheming 
usieg  language  at  once  so  hellish  and  awful  as  is  not  lawful 
to  utter.  Calling  my  friend  Mr.  B.  to  the  bedside*  as 
though  he  wished  to  <;ommunicate  soKi?thing,  he  lifted  up 
bis  hand  and  struck  him  with  some  vehemence,  uttering  at 
the  same  time  some  awful  imprecations,  and  begging  God 
to  pour  bis  maledictions  upon  their  heads.  He  was,  how- 
ever, no  infidel  now;  he  acknowledged  the  truth  of  the 
holy  scripture,^  and  the  reality  of  a  Messiah;  but  at  the 
same  time  rejecting  all  hope  of  salvation  through  hun,  ma- 
nifesting the  greatest  possible  hatred  and  malignity  toward 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

He  lingered  some  time  in  this  awful  state ;  increasing  if 
possible,  every  dhj  in  the  spirit  of  blasphemy,  hatred, 

*  I  know  not  but  the  fearful  apostac7,  mentioned  by  8t.  Paul,  Hebrew* 
Ti.  4,  5,6.  waa  exemplified  in  Wllliani  Pope.  "  For  it  is  impossible  for  those 
who  irere  once,  enlightened,  and  have  tasted  the  heavenly  gilt,  and  were 
made  partakers  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  have  tasted  of  the  good  WQtd  of  God,  bb^  ' 
the  powers  of  the  world  to  eoiqe,  and  haye  fallen  away,  (for  so  irAf^titt^jtt^ttt' 
should  be  rendered,)  to  renew  them  again  to  repentance."  This  kowevMP;  h 
only  to  be  understood  of  a  complete  and  totti  apostacy  from  God.  And  wiU  $f 
no  means  apply  to  the  ordinary  baclcslidingii  of  professors.  From  mWtIk  ma^ 
t'a.«  Lord  preierrv  u« ;  And  may  o«r  motto  ever  be  Ifateh  a*if  prajr. 


MEHOiaS  oW 


ssani 


y  ■!!■ 


I  WAS,  TBIOUOH  MUHDMIBI  OKACC,   HSSTQRBD  rtON  tAenfUtiSlKS, 

I  I    II  III  I  Mijlf  Mtiii 

rage,  contempt,  and  scorn  of  Ood  and  the  holy  icriptures^ 
possessing,  at  the  same  time,  a  cleameM  of  intell^i  and 
keenness  of  reasoning,  t^at  surprised  maof  of  bii  fH«fl(li. 
What  is  a  little  singular,  be  woiild  not  allow  any  of  bli  io^ 
^del  companions  to  come  into  the  room;  bidding  tbitn  to 
depart  and  be  gone,  as  they  had  been  the  caiifo  of  binder' 
lasting  ruin.  Numbers  of  i-eligipus  pergoog  viiited  liim,  to 
all  of  whom  he  presented  tlie  same  sp^tade  of  horror,  i@' 
probation,  and  despair.  He  frequently  said  he  wiibed 
only  to  talk  about  the  devil  and  hell-ilre,  and  that  it  gave 
him  the  most  ease  Tvhen  speakLig  of  those  subjecti*  Ifgvut 
did  a  man*  on  this  side  of  eteraity,  manifest  more  fully  tlio 
judicially  hardening,  and  blinding  power  of  God*  He  tp. 
peared  sealed  to  the  day  of  eternal  danmation,  and  awfully 
fitted  for  the  mansions  of  infernal  wiekednew*  For  lOflic; 
time  he  continued  in  this  state,  the  measure  of  hi»  bliiph^' 
..m.ies  beicoping  daily  n^ore  full,  till,  finally,  be  departedf 
.cursing  and  contemning  Jehovah  to  the  hif  t  niotneat  of  bit 
;€:jfi8tence. 

IrCojDtlQued  several  months  under  the  influenee  ofroy 
partial  bacjksUding,  for  I  never  left  the  society.    Indeed, 

JPbaKaQh's  yoliL^  was  not  more  irksome  to  the  Ifrteliteii, 
ithe  dashing  oar  to  a  galley-slave,  or.  the  toUiof  boe  (e  a 
poor  emaciated  vyestrliidia  negro,  thau  the  inward  bood* 
age  of  sin  was  to  my  soul.  I  frequently  Itroire  In  to  8|0' 
ny  to  break  the  snare;  would  roll  upon  the  groundf  weep, 
groan,  and  conflict  with  the  enemy,  till  I  »eem§^  to  hate 
no  more  strength  lefl.    At  length  the  l>rd  pUled  nod  re< 

.  ftoi'ed  me  to  my  forfeited  peace;  then  was  my  eyen  ^Ited 
with  tears,  my  lips  with  praises,  and  my  hetrt  with 

^  nesB,  and  I  could  sweetly  sing, 


JOBUU4  MAIlSDBlf. 


93 


«rTC>  I  WAB  ■■STOBKD,  I  WMLT  A  OESIRB  FOft  TIIC  SAI.TATI01I  Or  OTItBM. 


^- •  j*;^'yh»'<i*HT' 


jMl«r  all  thM  I  hsve  done, 

8»Tiour,  «rt  tbou  pMifled  t 
Wkttber  shall  my  TUnoi  run  t 

Bide  ■€,  earth— tha  aiimer  hide.  \ 
Let  me  sink  into  the  dust. 

Full  of  holj  shame  adore;  - 
Jesus  Christ  the  good,  the  just, 

Bide  me  go  and  Bin  no  more. 
O  eonllrm  the  gracious  word, 

Jesus,  8oB  of  God  and  man, 
Let  me  never  grieve  thee,  Lord, 

I^ever  torn  to  sin  again; 
Till  my  an  in  all  tbou  art. 

Till  thou  bring  thy  nature  in, 
Keep  this  feeble  trembUag  heart, 
'  Save  me,  save  me,  Lord,  firom  sin. 


i^f^-. 


'^f* 


.5.^. 


I*  v 


-'*^' 


Wkslkt. 


''S^^'Vs**;*^''^^^ 


•  i^i-xr-'^*^^. 


Continued  from  the  time  I  began  topretuhy  tUi  J  embarked 
as  a  Missiaruay  for  Nova  Seotia,  in  BriOah  Narlh 
Ameriea. 


ym- 


FnoM  the  earliest  periods  of  mj  turokig  to  God,  it 
would  sometimes  steal  into  my  miod,  What  if  the  IjoM 
should  can  you  to  preach  the  eyertastiog  gospel?  the 
idea  would  raise  a  painfully  pleasing  sensation  in  my 
breast.  I  was  deeply  pained  to  reflect  upon  my  unfiUiesB 
for  such  a  work,  and  comforted  with  Uie  desire  I  felt  for 
the  salvation  of  my  fellow-creatures.  Indeed,  from  the 
time  that  Almighty  Mercy  first  re?ealed^(iimseif  to  my  soul* 
I  felt  an  ardent  desire  for  the  salvatioa  of  ethers.  I  was 
constrained  to  reprove  sin  in  every  shape,  and  on  dl  60. 
easions  to  recommend  religion;  I  often  wished  for  capa- 
cities equal  to  my  win,  and  opportunities  correspondtot  to 
an  ardent  zeal ;  I  thought  the  whole  world  might  be  con- 
verted to  God ;  it  appeared  to  me  it  was  but  to  speak  foid 
the  power  of  religion  Would  affect  their  hearts ;  I  WaUB^ 


"^'m^'-i^i}^ 


d4 


MEMOIRS  OF 


JINODLAK  IHOIDCMT  'MADC  TH>  MBAIIt  OV  OONVERTIHO  A  WHOLC  rAHII,T. 


>i 


ed  the  miDisten  and  people  of  God  had  not  more  faith  and 
zeal,  aod  earnestly  longed  to  do  good  to  my  fellow-crea- 
tures. 

On  some  occfiii^s  G<^'jjir^'tHe  to  see  theHMit  i>fD^ 
labours,  which  greatly  encouraged  me  to  speak  of  religioo 
-when  I  had  an  opportunity.  On  one,  especially,  the  good- 
ness of  God  made  a  veiy  singular  circumstanbe  the  means 
of  converting  a  whole  family.  I  had  been  at  W— n  to 
see  my  mother.  Coming  back  in  the  pleasure-boat  on  the 
duke  of  Bridgewater's  canal,  while  some  of  the  company 
were  playing  at  cards,  I  observed  a  serious  young  woman 
in  ihe  boat,  and  an  elderly  grave  looking  man ;  to  these  I 
joined  myself  in  conversation.  The  young  woman  was 
from  Madely,  in  Shropshire,  a  disciple  of  that  blessed  mo- 
ther in  Israel,  Mrs.  Fletcher :  the  old  man  happened  to  be 
a  backslider  from  the  Methodist  Society,  but  his  wife  was 
still  a  member.  We  beguiled  the  time  with  various  reli- 
gious discourse  till  the  boat  arrived  at  Barton.  Here  the 
old  man  and  myself  had  to  leave  the  canal,  and  strike  across 
the  country,  he  to  W — y,  and  I  to  R — f ;  but  as  the  night 
was  comii^  on,  he  advised  me  to  go  and  stop  at  his  house 
all  night ;  I  consented,  but  when  we  arrived  his  wife  was 
gone  to  meeting;  so  he  took  me  into  the  next  house,  where 
I  stopped  all  night. 

V  The  nest  morning  the  woman  of  the  house,  A.  R.  on 
hearing  that  I  lived  at  R— f,  asked  me  if  I  knew  an  old 
man  of  the  name  of  limping  Billy,  a  conjurer,  who  tpld  for- 
tunes ?  I  replied  in  the  affirmative ;  withal  adding,  that  I 
had  been  to  see  him.  the  week  before,  not  indeed,  to  have  my 
fortune  told,  but  to  tell  him  his,  and  warn  him  to  repent  and 
jibandon  bis  fbrtime-telliog  tricks,  or  God  would  certainly 


f^^'^.M 


.■*'■. 

1 '  wv,iii;.  : 

'  '  v* , 

v'.^w  «>*;•  'i^'j* 

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f 

;»(»J»W:-«Hsp  :S'-^  ■ 


„^.*<ijWi>- 


JOSHUA  MAB8DE?f. 


05 


OOD  MAKK8  THE  BIMPLCST  THIHOI  riOMOTE  BIS  ObOIT  AND  MAN'S  GOOD. 

deal  with  bim  as  be  deserved.*  The  woman  looked  asto- 
nished and  ooofouoded,  and  retired  into  another  room, 
from  whence  when  she  returned  I  perceived  she  had  been 
weeping;  upon  which  I  requested  that  she  would  allow 
me  to  read  and  pray  with  her — she  consented ;  and  I  took 
my  leave,  not  imagining  that  any  thing  particular  would 
grow  out  of  it.  However)  about  ten  days  after  this,  com- 
ing out  of  Bury  chapel,  to  which  I  generally  went  on  the 
Sabbath,  a  man. met  and  asked  pie.  Is  not  your  name  Mars- 
den?  I  replied)  Tes.  You  must  go  along  with  me,  said  the 
man;  my  wife  has^  been  in  great  distress  ever  since  you 
was  at  my  house,  and  wishes  to  see  and  speak  wjth 
you.  I  set  off  inuBcdiatelyi  and  when  I  arrived  at  his 
house,  found  his  wife  deeeply .  convinced  of  sin,  and 
eamestly.striving  for  mercy  and  salvation.  I  endeavour- 
ed to  direct  and  comfort  her  as  well  as  possible,  and  in  a 
littletime.  the. clouds  vanished,  and  the  Sun  of  righteous- 
Dess.sboijne  upon  her  soul.  ^  -      ^i^^ 

Her  husband  was  a  worldly  man,  that  used  to  spend,  his 
evenings  at.  the^tayern.  Going  one  night  as  usual  to  take 
his  accustomed  beverage,  a  thought  struck  his  miad ;  my 
wife  is  at  the  meeting,  while  I  am  at  the  tavern;  she. is 
going  to  heaven,  and  I  am  going  to  hell.  ,  I  will  go  to  the 
meeting :  he  did  go— divine  impressions  were,  made  upon 
his  mind;  he  was  awakened  to  a  feeling  sense  of  his  lost 
condition,  and,  in  the  end,  joined  his  partner  in  the  good 
way.  1 

r-M  ^-^  ■"  '  •  ••■■', 

*  How  often  ia  it  the  case,  that  those  whom  God  has  wounded  by  disappoiot- 
ments  and  cross  providences,  go  to  the  devil  for  a  cure ;  by  resorting  to  such 
'old  wretches  as  deceive  the  credulous,  by  pretending  to  tell  their  fortvJBS, 
This  bad  been  the  case  with  this  woman.  .   j 

.■  •*  ,?' 


■% 


^mr: 


.,  ^.■^-^l.  .  '  «^ 


M 


MBMOIlia   AF 


MAtOlll  r«H  DBIIRIR*  TO  ■■  BMFIiOTXD  AB  A  ■WISTBI  OF  TIC  SOiriL. 


The  coDT«nioD  of  thk  famlAj  had  a  happjr  elliect  upon 
(he  neighboarhood :  and  now  they  have  a  comfortaMe 
chapel  and  societj  in  the  same  place.  SomeUmei  I 
thought  Ood  had  a  design  to  employ  me  in  preaching  bis 
eveilastii^  gospel ;  and  this  inipression  was  always  most 
strong  when  I  felt  any  pttticalar  manifestations  of  divine 
love.  When  I  walked  into  the  fields,  and  by  the  caaab, 
or  rivers,  my  mind  was  so  ftitlof  this  idea,  that  I  wotdd 
preach  to  the  trees,  choose  my  text,  divide  my  sidbject,  and 
give  to  each  part  all  the  energy  and  vehemence  I  was  ca- 
pable of,  without  one  single  auditor  but  trees,  and  rocks, 
and  runniog  streams.  *  When  looking  forward  to  prospec- 
tive holiness,  I  would  sometimes  think  what  state  of  llfift 
would  be  most  favourable  to  a  oontliniance  and  security 
m  piety ;  and  none  appeared  so  tndy  eligible  as  tlie  minis- 
try of  the  gospel,  it  is  true,  I  was  not  fully  seoiiblo  of 
eitJier  the  call  or  the  qualiilGatioos,  but  the  work  6f  die 
ministry  appeared  truly  desirable  in  the  lollowihg  views : 

1.  As  a  Inly  employment:  i  should  be  always  serving 
'6od.    **  Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  bouse,  they 

will  be  still  praising  thee." 

2.  As  a  ddii^ful  employment  '^  How  amiibte  are 
thy  tabernacles,  O  Lord.  A  day  spent  in  thy  courts  is 
better  than  a  thousand.'' 

3.  A»  a  useliil  employment.  1  slioold  be  servii^  my 
generation.    **  He  went  about  doing  good." 

4.  As  a  congenial  employment.  I  diould  enjoy  more 
opportunities  of  reading,  study,  and  improvement;  should 
be  lavoured  with  the  conversation  of  the  wise  and  good, 
and  be  more  abstracted  from  the  world  than  I  could  po9f 
sibly  be  .i.  .>oy  other  situation. 


-.•&tt-!*' 


'Ji(fe;;-fw:''-'*?H-»»r'*''">:«*- '-■'»!! 


■    I 


JOfHVA  lUMOIIf. 


BBBa»3S"=««W|^|^«^» 


IB  •OtriL. 


•  IVTB  AKJt  MOT  «IA(!|(~'N«bM  III  rKBAONina  NO  PISTT. 


5.  A^  ao^lKVHwrable  employoMOt  t  they  appitared  lo  me 
the  excellent  of  the  earUi.    i  beUeved  them  alwayi  bappj 
who  were  tbui  swe^Uy  eogmed  la  the  lervijBe  of  0<hL    | 
thought  true  mioitten  raroly  I'elt  tei9pt»t|oo|  were  offi- 
ciallyaod  oecei«ar|ly  bolx'^were  delivered  Drom  the  pro- 
bability of  doiog  wroog,  aad  lo  hedged  about  by  grace  and 
dutyf  that  they  could,  iiot  eailly  deviate  from  tlieir  chrii- 
tiao  course.    I  could  oot  then  believe  that  a  miaister  of 
Cbriat.  should  become  formal  hi  duty,  or  that  the  rotioe 
of  hisofiice  might  be  rendered  trite,  unlnterestiug,  and 
sometimes  even  irksome  to  himi  that  Ood  might  give  him 
helps  as  a  minister^fer  the  good  of  hb church,  distioct  from 
bis  piety,  and  which  be  ought  by  no  means  to  place  to  the 
account  of  his  personal  graces.    I  did  not  for  a  moment 
believe  that  a  true  minister  of  Christ  could  be  a  prey  to 
dejection,  melancholy,  and  the  most  morbid  depressioos ; 
much  less  did  I  think  that  he  could  preach  comfort  to 
others,  and  feel  little  himself(  encourage  others,  while 
discouraged  in  his  ow,n  mlnd|  preach  against  sin  under  a 
consciousness  of  great  personal  defection  |  inculcate  the 
necessity  of  fervency,  zeal,  and  liveliness  in  ^religioa; 
wiiile  he,  alas,  himself  felt  much  celdness,  dullness,  for- 
mality, and  barrenness.    These  things  I  afterwards  learned 
by  painful,  experience;  for  had  !  been  as  sensible  of  ,tb^ 
operation  then  as  I  aro^at  present,  I  shouhl  probably  have 
declined  all  thoughts  relative  to  preaching  the  everlasting 
gospel.    How  wisely  kind  is  the  Lord, to  keep  our  trials 
out,  of  sight,  till  we  are  fitted  to  bear  them ;  and  hide  our 
difficulties,  lest  they  should  deter  ui  from  our  duty. 
^^^As  opporUinity  offiered,  I  frequently  exhorted,  prayed  lo 
public,  aadheld prayeMDMtiojg;s|  aod  wai  flpally  induce^ 


f 


*^ 


98 


W&MftmB  ov 

^^— ^^i>i*a»aw*M    I  I  Til 


SOMK  AKC  TOO  OKITICAL— TIC  •MFCS.  MAT  *■  rUACim    IR   PLAIHVIH. 

bj  a  local  brother  to  enter  into  the  fulpil,  when  I  epened 
vycommiimoD  Iron  thoiewordi,  NuiiibeB  zxiL  08.  **  The 
word  that  God  pulteth  ki  my  meMh,  that  ibatt  Ivpeak.** 
The  exercise  was  with  fear  aod  tremUhig ;  I  had  «>  mp. 
port  myself  by  heMinf  fast  the  pulpit,  and  was  so  aNioh 
discooeerled  that  I  resolved  to  venture  no  more.  '.-'t^-y^^ 
'Maoy  think  preacbiqg  the  gospel  a  very  easy  thiog; 
They  have  no  mercy  upon  the  slips  and  pult»it  hhmders  of 
^  messenger  of  God.  Each  word  is  sifted }  oach  senteooa 
Is  wire-drawn;  each  foible  is  magnified,    f  -ifm^i^  >r<*>  m 


Aik  them  to  kev  u  honest,  worthy  mui,       rf 
Like  Nelson,  wedded  to  the  gospel  plan ; 
Plaia,  eiinple,  anidora'd,  or  md*  in  apeeeh }    .  ,->  f ' 
He  preach  the  goipel !  No,  he  cannot  preach :' 
80  Tillgar,  coarse,  iaelegant,  and  rough, 
Would  any  man  of  sense  go  bear  such  stuff?     ,,.., 
B— n,  His  true,  may  please  them  now  and  then, 
Aod  C-^e,  that  able  master  oC  the  pen ; 
But  truth  must  borrow  charms  to  make  it  fine, 
And  Paul  in  TuUy'B  elaisie  toga  sUb»     . 


'M-'' 


I  do  not  plead  for  either  a  wholly  illiterate,  blundering, 
or  incompetent  ministry;  but  where  good  gospel  is  deli- 
vered with  good  sense,  though  the  language  may  be  simple, 
rough,  and  sometimes  inelegant,  the  manner  unpolished,  and 
the  mode  of  delivery  awkward  and  uupleasiog,  we  should 
neither  undervalue  nor  despise  such  a  minister.  Ood*s  al- 
tars were  formerly  built  of  rough  stone,  his  power  display- 
ed by  the  sound  of  ram*s  horns,  and  his  richest  treasure 
deposited  in  earthen  vessels. 

'  But,  alas !  many  of  our  nice  and  critical  hearers  are  only 
pleased  with  fine  strains  of  eloquence,  great  learnuig,  and 
critical  disquisition.  I  do  not  apply  this  particularly  to  the 
Sifethodist  coogregatioDs,  as  they  are  DOie  bo^cIMnis  cff 


'  (, 


JOSniTA  MARVmCN. 


fl 


ess 


aa£: 


TUB  ■CTKODI9TI  bOTI  ■llfP&S,   AmtCnoVATB,  tBALOUB  PKBACIBM. 

■   II    II        fll    I    I"     ■■     '-  ~'  II  mill      ■■■■■■^11 

pietj  thiofiMt  iMUdetf  Hid  mfnlMerlal  seti  feitblidiieM, 
and  dilfgenee,  dMn  cwrkwM  lllenrj  itttlmKBtt.  Tfaef 
lov«  to  litfQ  their  nioiMerf  affkble ;  mefi  of  good  Mme,  af- 
fcotkmftte^  and  stepte;  of  pliio  eaiy  maonen,  and  deeply 
deroted  to  the  work  of  Ood.  A  flashy,  ipi«Ce,  finloal 
inreacher,  does  not  please  them ;  one  that  Is  more  soUcttooi 
to  show  Ms  pretty  parts,  than  uige  needful  tmth  on  the 
coBselenccs  of  hb  liearers.*  A  political  minister  does 
Dot  please  them }  I  never  knew  one  of  this  kind,  for  the 
sixteen  years  1  have  been  acquainted  with  Methodism, 
that  did  not  both  lose  bis  own  popularity  and  the  people's 
confidence.  The  Methodists  neither  love  proud,  nor  yet 
stiff  overbearing  ministers;  they  love  to  be  entreated  as 
brothers,  and  not  to  have  lords  over  Ood*s  heritaget  Per- 
haps it  is  to  promote  this  that  they  find  their  preachers 
poor,  and  keep  them  so ;  as  when  ministers  become  rich, 
they  feel  independent  of  their  flocks,  wish  to  govern  with 
an  absolute  sway,  and  will  neither  brook  restraint,  nor  bear 
reproof.- 

Those  men  of  God,  Allen,  Peicival,  and  McDonald, 
greatly  encouraged  me  in  the  work.  As  my  mind  was 
frequently  much  depressed,  their  tenderness  and  fatherly 
care  aflforded  a  seasonable  count<irpoise:  for  were  I  to 


—Ti  ■ 


▲  aiUyfoiMleoiie«itoriitoiUrConn,    .     ;«v   -  .;ji»l¥  i%4f^*#'«0» 

And  just  proportion,  fuhioDBble  mien, 

And  pretty  hce,  in  premwee  6t  liisOod  t     ^0«^  'ttt  t^^ 

Or  will  be  seek  to  dwisle  me  with  tropee,  ^ 

As  with  <he  aiiAKma  on  Bis  lily  haiod,  ^^ 

And  play  his  Inilliuit  parts  befon  "f^^h-Y^,^,.:^ 
When  I  am  hungry  for  the  bread  of  life  ! 
He  moelES  his  Maker;  pfostttutee  and  8haiai|i    i^^f< 
His  noble  office ;  and  instead  of  truth, 
Dttplay&is  blB  0ini  MMity,  atfrrw  hb  Itek.  ff^"^' 


Mp^i'i 


100 


MEMOIBB  OF  ^  y^v- 


9(sxa 


HAD  PEW  I.ITERART  dUALIFICATIOIfS,   YET  UNDERSTOOD  THE  OOSrSL  PLAN. 


enter  into  a  detail  of  all  my  exercises  at  this  period,  my 
narrative  would  be  tedious,  and  burtbeaed  with  iucideots 
too  gloomy  and  minute  to  be  interesting.  Suffice  it  to 
say,  I  had  some  qualifications  and  many  deficiencies;  I 
had  an. ardent  love  Amt  souls,  was  happy  in  Uie  favour  of 
God,  and  felt  in  my  heart  the  vital  power  of  religion.,  To 
counterbalance  these,  I  was  considerably  ignorant. of  the 
world,  was  but  young  in  the  waya  of  God,  and  unacquaint* 
ed  with  the  great  controversies  of  religion.  It  is  true,  I 
had  a  natural  elocution,  and  could  express  myself  readily 
updo  any  subject  1  understood;  I  had,  also,  some  very 
considerable  knowledge  of  the  holy  scriptures;  they  were 
my  comfort  by  day,  and  my  song  in  the  night.  Yet  I  was 
. greatly  destitute  of  human  learning;  for  though  1  went 
seven  or  eight  years  to  school,  I  had  for  several  years  been 
Ibrgetting  every  thing  1  then  learned;  hence,  I  had  little 
literature  and  less  science.  My  materials  for  th^e  ministry 
were,  therefore^  very  slender;  but  God  did  n$ii(j|^espis^tbe 
day  of  small  things;  T  knew  that  Jesus  Christ  came  mto 
the  world  to  save  sinners;  ■mim'^^  -m  st  mm  h'immm 

,  And  also,  what  some  bishops  may  not  knov, 

••  ^™^  'M     That  scripture  is  the  only  cure  for  wo.  'i^  '■? *?r^  5&«&«s<r^ «; 

I  was  acquainted  with  the  doctrine  of  human  depravity  ^ 
that  man,  though  possessed  of  an  immortal  intelligence,  is 
a  poor,  blind,  fallen,  sinful,  miserable,  and  (without  divine 
grace,)  helpless  creature.  The  new  covenant  unifolded  to 
me  the  great  scheme  of  redemption;  and  that  taught  me 
God's  method  of  saving  sinners  by  Uie  atonement  of  his 
Son,  the  power  of  his  Spirit,  and  the  operations  of  repent- 
ance, faith,  and  regeaeratioD.    Justification  by  faith,  and 


JOSHVA  ILAJtSOIN. 


101 


L.L ±  -UJ  . 


THE  PREAOHINO  Or  THE  008PBL  A  VOLUMTAaT  ACT  WITH  MC. 

.^— ^  ^^^^m        •       ■  ^^mmm^mm  ■■    ■  _i—»mi|  him  ^m      i     ^    ■■■  i»    ^  .i.  ^  III  I  —  _i^.  Mil  pi         » 

the  lore  of  God  shed  abroad  io  the  heart,  were  the  sweet 
esperieoces  of  mj  soul;  and  to  increase  my  scanty  know* 
ledge,  I  read  the  bible  iotiessantly,  together  with  the  watka 
of  seveial  pious  diyines,  especially  Wesley  and  Fletcher. 
Frcnn  these  I  received  a  daily  augmeDtation  of  knowledge, 
and  a  thirst  after  information  induced  me  to  dip  into  every 
thing  within  my  reach ;  hence,  I  soon  acquired  a  general 
knowledge  of  history,  moral  and  natural  philosophy,  * 
more  perfect  knowledge  of  grammar  and  rhetoric,  and  also 
divinity :  to  these  I  may  add,  as  above,  I  was  so  taken  up 
with  the  thoughts  oi  the  ministry,  that  I  often  preached  to 
trees,  and  my  mind,  as  I  was  walking  the  road,  was  fre- 
quency engaged  in  dividing,  compa^'l^ig,  explaining,  prov* 
ing,  and  amplifying  different  passages  of  scripture.    Ha* 
viog  a  good  memory,  I  stored  it  with  a  number  of  scrip- 
ture texts  upon  select  subjects,  togeth»  with  passages 
from  Toung,  Milton,  Cowper,  Watts,  Wesley,  and  other 
podf.    I'lfaietimes  wrote  short  skeletons  of  sermons ;  trea- 
sured the  heads  of  those  I  heard  in  my  memory,  and  ac- 
customed myself  to  ref«at  large  parts  of  the  discourses 
delivered  by  the  best  preachers  I  attended. 

Some  may  say,  all  this  was  mere  human  preparation ; 
Was  not  you  thrust  out,  and  compelled  to  go  and  call  sin- 
ners to  repentance  ?  To  this  I  reply,  that  I  never  was  a 
convert  to  the  doctrine  that  man  is  a  mere  machine, 
either  in  his  christian  or  ministerial  call.  I  do  not  know 
that  the  parallel  will  bold  good  betwixt  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  now-a-days,  and  ^oses  or  Jeremiah ;  they  had  both 
of  tliem  very  peculiar  reasons  for  wishing  to  decline ;  Mo- 
ses for  not  speaking  to  Pharaoh,  and  Jeremiah  for  not  pro* 
phesying  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem;  as  also  Jonah  for 


102 


MEMOIRS  OF 


■  -»  • 


MEN  ARE  rnCE  AGENTS   BOTH   IN  PREACHING   AND  RKLIOION. 


llyiDg  from  Nineveh :  but  if  a  dispeosatioa  of  the  gospel 
is  committed  to  me,  vro  be  to  me  if  I  preach  it  uot.        *^^f. 
True,  but  are  there  not  many  jyho  reject,  even  in  this 
particularvthe  counsel  of  God   against  their  own  souls? 
Mr.  Wesley,  our  venerable  fatlier,  lays  down  no  such 
standard,  as. i hat  a  man  must,  nay,  will  be  thrust  out 
against  his  will.     There  have,  no  doubt,  been  instances 
where  men  of  strong  minds  have  suffered  much  from  oppo- 
sing a  powerful  impulse ;  the  burthen  of  the  Lord  has  been 
laid  upon  them,  and  in  groaning  to  get  from  under  it,  they 
haw  pierced  themselves  through  with  many  sorrows.    But 
more  generally,  one  called  to  the  ministry  may  follow  the 
opraings  of  a  plain  Providence;  and  as  opportunity  offers, 
judgment  prompts,  and  abilities  qualify,  first,  exhort ;  se- 
condly,  preach ;  and  thirdly,  give  himself  up  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry.     If  he  be  a  good  man,  and  honour  God  in  his 
life,  God  will  attend  his  word  with  the  vital  influence  of  his 
Holy  Spirit.    Being  truly  persuaded  himself,  the  love  of 
Christ  will  constrain  him  to  persuade  others.    Being  a 
scribe  well  instructed  in  the  things  of  the  kingdom,  he 
will  be  apt  to  teach.     But  in  all  this  there  is  no  compul- 
sion.    God  constrains' no  man  (totis  veribus)  with  all  his 
might.     HencC)   those  brethren  who  have  written  and 
spoken  upon  this  subject,  have  not  sufficiently  qualified 
their  observations.    With  regard  to  themselves,  it  might 
appear  they  were  compelled ;  but  I  believe  this  is  rarely 
the  case,  and  ought  never  to  be  laid  down  as  a  standard, 
lest  many  should  be  discouraged  who  have  not  this  com- 
pelling call.  '>¥t>*S^>^'^'^.^'-',''^:^>^:^^f'  '''^^ 
.  As  I  mentioned  above,  my  firet  essay  was  attended  with 
«uph  fear,  faultering,  and  perturbatiou  of  mind,  that  I 


JOSHUA   MARSDEN. 


103 


DID  SOT   POkESEE  THE  DIFFICULTIES  ATTDNEINO   THE  MINISTRY. 


thought  I  would  corc-v     lygelf  no  more.    However,  in  a 
little  while,  it  became  public,  that  I  had  attempted  to 
preach,  and  nothing  less  than  my  making  a  new  trial 
would  satbfy  my  friends ;  so  that  venerable  old  man,  Mr. 
Allen,  who  was  then  in  the  circuit,  published  preaching  for 
me  at  a  small  village  called  Sillinghurst,  near  Bury.     I 
made  the  trial,  and  had  considerable  eulargement  of  heart 
while  speaking  from  those  encouraging  words,  "  Which 
h(^e  we  have  9S  an  anchor  of  the  soul,  both  sure  and 
steadfast."  That  holy  man  of  God  Mr.  Percival,  who  had 
come  upon  the  circuit,  heard  me  preach  this  sermon,  and 
much  approved  of  my  weak  performance,  bidding  me  go 
on,  and  God  would  make  a  way  for  me.     Yet,  I  cannot 
but  regret  that  I  entered  upon  this  important  work  so  early, 
and  withal  so  unprepared ;  the  many  snares  I  have  met ; 
the  many  slips  and  blunders  I  have  made ;  the  many  sub- 
tle foes  I  have  had  to  encounter;  the  difficulties  into  which 
I  have  sometimes  been  plunged;  and  the  intricate  circum- 
stances Ibave  had  to  unravel,  all  convince  me  that  I  was 
too  young,  too  green  and  inexperienced,  for  the  critical, 
arduous,  and    truly  momentous  work  of   the  ministry : 
Not  that  r  supposed  a  youth's  spending  four,  or  even 
five  years  at  college,  learning  a  little  Latin  and  Greek, 
and  becoming  acquainted  with  all  the  gods  and  goddesses 
of  the  pantheon,  is  a  better  preparation,  or  even  as  good, 
as  the  vital  experience  of  true  religion.'"' 

*  "  If  it  be  objected,  that  the  Methodist  preachers  have  not  a  classical  educa- 
tion ;  I  answer,  education  is  a  good  thing,  and  a  classical  education  is  not  held 
in  contempt  by  the  Methodists;  as  there  are  some  Methodist  preachers  wh* 
would  sustain  no  injury  to  their  reputation,  by  a  comparison  with  many  clergy- 
men of  other  denominations  in  point  of  learning.  Did  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel  consist  in  learned  criticisms,  the  advantage  of  a  classical  education 
would  be  greater  than  it  is;  more  especially  if  the  whole,  or  a  consider- 
able part  of  the  people,  wore  classical  scholars  alsoi  and  except  this  be  the 


104 


UEMOIRS   OF 


f  ^> 


A  HINI8TCR  SHOVItD  ■£  A  MAN  OF  BOOD  SENSE  AlfD  SOUND  PIETY. 

«  ^^— ^___ 

I  do  not  insiouate  that  a  miaister  of  the  gospel  should 
be  either  a  novice  in  ex{>erieDce,  religion,  or  human  leam- 
HP"  If  there  be  an  important  station  in  the  world,  the 
ministry  is  that  station ;  and  surely  none  iiill  suppose  that 
while  it  requires  diligent  study,  deep  research  and  patient 
investigation  to  form  the  physiciaB,  the  civilian,  or  (he  nattt> 
ralist,  any  thing  will  do  for  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  though 
it  has  the  head  of  a  block,  and  the  mind  of  an  idiot.  I 
say,  I  regret  that  I  began  to  preach  so  soon  :  many  an 
Icarus,  as  well  as  myself  by  aspiring  too  high  with  waxen 
wings,  has  been  plunged  into  a  sea  of  difficulties.  None 
but  persons  truly  ignorant  of  the  sacred  ministry  can  sup- 
pose, that  either  a  dunce  or  a  blockhead  will  make  a 
preacher  of  the  gospel.  If  there  be  persons  so  weak,  or  min- 
isters  so  in^dicious,  as  to  appoint  to  this  office  sculls  that 
cannot  teacli,  and  will  not  learn,  let  them  know  to  their 
everlasting  disgrace,  that  those  whom  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  called  to  this  blessed  work,  were  men  of  deep  pie- 
ty and  good  sense,     ^^^v--;-  •H^-VJ*  %«;:fei^  •^.. 'irtf.^    :^. 

I  do  not  say,  that  either  piety,  or  study,  or  human  learn- 
ing  alone,  will  make  a  good  minister ;  but  they  are  all 
necessary,  and  the  two  first  indispensable.  None  but 
idiots,  and  worse  than  Idiots,  will  suppose  that  a  man  can 
preach  without  knowledge,  or  communicate  to  others  what 
he  is  not  possessed  of  himself.  i  -    ^^  ^J:^, 

cise,  how  preposterous  is  it  to  hear  a  preacher  quoting  scraps  of  Latin,  Greek, 
and  Hebrew,  in  his  sermons,  which  perhaps  not  two  persons  in  the  ct  ^regation 
anderstand  ?  and  should  he  not  understand  these  scraps  himself,  it  will  not  malce 
In  such  cases,  the  edification  of  the  people  will  be  just 


U  *: 


the  least  difference, 
the  same,  and  his  fame  as  a  linguist  will  not  be  at  all  tarnished ;  at  least  when 
not  a  single  linguist  is  present  All  therefore,  who  are  ambitious  of  this  tinsel, 
must  garnish  their  discourses  with  scraps  of  the  learned  languages,  particularly 
among  country  farmers,  mechanics,  and  Tillage  peasants.*' 

Crmt^tft  Portraiture  of  JfeModim,  Page  31 1 .  Am.  ed. 


:*■ 


JOBHVA  MARSDEN. 


105 


311.  Am.  ed. 


DESCRIPTION  or  A  GOOD  SERMON. 


If  there  be  pereoDs  whO}  to  sanction  their  indolence,  pre- 
tend to  preach  by  inspiration,  and  advance  in  the  pulpit 
irhat  a  christian  of  common  sense  would  be  ashamed  to 
speak  before  a  trio  of  chimney'sweepers,  let  tliem  blush 
for  their  own  nakedness,  and  repent  of  the  oonsense  and 
absurdity,  they  have  foisted  into  the  most  sacred  of  all 

places,  thepulpit.  „v>.*^..^^**  .  '^^-^.m'-:-HMn 

We  ought  not  to  suppose,  that  the  table-talk  of  an  old 
woman,  or  the  skittish  j  facetious  tales  of  a  buffoon,  form  the 
proper  materials  of  a  sermon.  A  good  sermon  is  one  of  the 
finest  results  of  good  sense,  combined  with  sound,  vital  piety. 
Were  i  to  throw  my  thoughts  into  verse,  I  would  say  of  a 
good  sermon,  :  kim'i^^m.f^^^- 


::'u<y 


It  should  be  brief;  If  lengthy,  It  will  steep       ^f  |  *  ,^ 
Our  hearts  in  apathy,  our  eyes  in  sleep : 
The  dull  will  yawn,  the  chapel  lounger  dose, 
Attention  flag,  and  menrary's  portals  clote. 


."(*•«,*«.•  ■ 


.•^^^. 

-'C'X^^f- 

iii^^f^i- 

?ii«?    *•' 

m  -; 


'.  i<     'iiWv. 


It  should  be  warm,  a.livtog  altar>eoaI,       ^^^r  i  ;: 
To  melt  the  icy  heart  and  charm  the  soul: 
A  sapless,  dull  harangue,  however  read,  7\. 

Will  never  rouse  the  soul,  or  raise  the  dead. 

It  should  be  simple,  pi^ctical,  and  clear ;  %  /';.  ^'^V 
No  fine-spun  theory  to  please  the  ear ;       f.  ^-^ -  r 
No  curious  lay,  to  tickle  lettered  pride. 
And  leave  the  poor  and  plain  unedified. 

■5' I 

It  should  be  tender  and  affectionate,  ^ 

As  his  warm  theme  who  wept  lost  Salem's  fate : 
The  fiery  law  with  words  of  love  allay'd. 
Will  aweetly  warn,  and  awfully  persuade. 

It  shouU  be  manly,  just,  and  rational ;  ° 
Wisely  conceived,  and  well  ezpress'd  witbtl :    .j 
Not  stuff  *d  with  silly  notions,  apt  to  stain 
A  sacred  deslc,  and  sbow  a  muddy  brain,    j,  ^   >, 

It  should  possess  a  well-adapted  grace. 
To  situation,  sudjence,  time,  and  place ; 
A  sermon  formed  for  scholars,  statesmen,  lords, 
With  peasants  and  mechanics  ill  accords. 


■^^^ 


'K 


''.Hi*!.' 


106 


JVEMOIRS  OF      jc 


h 


TOUNO   PREACHERS  rREaUENTLT  UDCH    HAMPf:»eD, 

It  should  with  evangelic  beauties  bloonii 
Like  Paul's  at  Corinth,  Athens,  or  at  Rom*. 

^>^  -r,    ■■'  I<ct  fioma  Epictetus  or  Sterne  esteem  ; 

rw%  /*'»i  :    ^  bleeding  Jesus  is  the  Gospel  theme  ! 

*B!i*-J'.M  ''  should  be  mixM  with  many  an  ardent  pr»y9f» 
-J^S.fft'Hrfp'   rjQ  f^fxh  the  heart,  and  fix  and  fasten  there  { 


When  God  and  men  are  mutually  aUdrett^ 
God  grants  a  blessing,  man  is  truly  blest. 


?*•  %•'■ 


^kiH>'  '4'^^  It  should  be  closely,  well  applied  at  last,  li'        .^l 

^  \^'  To  malce  the  moral  nail  securely  fast :  ■■-^i.'^  m*\ 

^  r«lfc  ^^  Thou  art  the  man,  and  thou  alone  wilt  malie  ^  ^ngm:,^  ^   4» 
'  A  Felix  tremble, and  a  David  quaite t  '    ^,  -. 

"  After  some  time  I  was  received  into  the  local  preacb@rft* 
plan,  OQ  Bolton  circuit,  and  regularly  attended  at  a  variety 
of  places,  frequently  walkiog  six,  eight,  ten,  twelve  or  four* 
teen  miles,  and  preaching  afterwards  once  or  twice,  and  tlj€a 
return;  but  duty  was  delight,  and  I  could  sweetly  sing, 

^,  ~         With  thee  conversing  I  forget 

■:'^;;*i^;-   '"•  :'  '         All  time,  and  toil,  and  care;  'iRJ*»  '*•««>>  !     J 

.  :,  ,    .,         ^   ,       Labour  is  rest,  and  pain  is  sweet, 

'■•;*  -;v»--^i'jf/'v  _'>■■-;%•-■  7 -s!»;-:/j''!^^  .<*■*  ■«. 

'  My  plan  of  preaching  was  to  commit  to  memory  any 
good  arrangement  or  outline  of  some  of  my  brethren  |  aod 
so  to  fly  upon  their  wings,  and  to  plough  with  tb^lr  heifer. 
Sometimes  I  would  preach  from  an  outline  of  my  own  | 
but  alas,  on  many  occasions  my  sermons  were  no  more  than 
three  heads  and  a  conclusion :  for  I  have  always  made  it  ft 
point  not  to  substitute  a  rambling  exhortation  for  a  sermon  { 
not  but  this  may  sometimes  do  great  good.  God  \» 
not  confined  to  bestow  his  Spirit  because  a  man  luminonil}' 
explains,  and  beautifully  analyzes  his  subject;  but  §imt 
custom  has  sanctioned  textuary  preaching,  as  the  people, 
especially  the  wiser  sort,  expect  the  subject  will  be  ex* 
plained,  while  as  men,  we  need  iustiitction  as  well  as  per 


JOSHUA    MAR8DEN. 


107 


rHEACHERB  WHO  NKOLECT  TO  STUDY  MANGLE  THEIR  SUBJECTS. 


suasion;  as  the  H0I7  Spirit  frequently  attends  this 
method,  and  as  most  of  the  purposes  of  public  teaching  are 
better  answered  this  way;  we  should  not  think  lightly  of 
a  clear,  judicious,  fervent  sermon,  though  it  both  explain 
the  text,  and  greatly  improve  the  mind.  •  ^-^^W 

Exhortation  may  be  good  in  its  place ;  but  if  a  man 
undertake  to  preach,  and  put  the  people  oflf  with  only 
an  exhortation,  will  they  think  him  a  workman  thai 
needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word 
of  truth  ?  will  they  not  either  lay  his  inability  at  the 
door  of  his  neglecting  to  study,  want  of  genius,  or  not 
being  called  to  the  work  ?  A  good  sermon  will  cost  a  man 
much  trouble,  many  prayers,  and  painful  solicitudes.  It  is 
true,  I  have  been  acquainted  with  preachers  that  never 
studied,  and  made  a  merit  of  saying.  They  had  generally 
to  find  their  text  in  the  pulpit.*  Such  dabblers  may  step 
from  the  dinner  or  tea-table,  the  pipe  or  the  party,  into  the 
desk,  and  make  a  good  exhortation;  or  as  the  Indians  call 
it,  a  Talk  i  but  they  will  never  make  able  ministers  of  the 
New  Covenant.  I  never  knew  such  a  preacher  either 
command  much  respect,  or  prove  the  author  of  extensive 
good  in  the  church  of  God.  One  of  this  kind,  to  prove  to 
his  auditory  that  study  and  learning  were  unnecessary, 
gravely  told  his  hearers.  That  Paul  was  brought  up  at  the 

*  It  would  be  well  if  such  preachers  woulJ  attend  to  what  our  venerahle  '."ounder 
(John  Wesley)  has  said  in  his  note  upon  our  T.ord's  Sermon  on  the  Mount- 
"  Through  this  whole  discourse  we  cannot  but  observe  the  most  ex'ict  method 
which  can  possibly  be  qonceived ;  every  paragraph,  every  sentence ' is  closely 
connected,  both  with  that  which  precedes  and  that  which  follows  it: ;  and,  is  not 
this  the  pattern  for  every  (christian  preacher  1  Tf  any  then  are  able  to  follow  it 
without  premeditation,  well ;  if  not,  let  them  not  dare  to  preach  without  it.  No 
rhapsody — no  incoherency.  Whether  the  tbinjig  spoken  be  true  or  false,  comes 
Of  the  Spirit  of  Christ." 

^>  'r'.^.  V-'  ■  ^uv4"i    Wtslts't  Notts,  page  ao,  Am.  Cd. 


m 


•^i 


108 


MEMOIRS  OF 


A  GOOD  PREACBEft  •HOUbD  IE  A  BOLT  MAN. 

feet  of  Gamaliel,  a  high  mountaia  ia  Judea,  and  there- 
fore vas  an  ignorant  man.  Study,  deep  study  and  prayer 
are  the  soul  of  preaching;  hence  I  never  entered  so  much 
into  the  spirit  of  this  sacred  work,  or  had  such  enlarge- 
ment  and  freedom,  as  when  I  cast  my  subject  in  the  mould 
of  prayer,  and  cast  the  seed  into  the  earth  with  tears  and 
supplications.  With  an  humble,  tender,  praying  heart,  no- 
thing is  so  sweet  as  preaching  the  gospel ;  then  truly  are 
the  words  like  nails  fastened  by  the  Master  of  assemblies: 


?,c 


For  let  the  sophist  smile,  the  ecorner  sneer, 
1^0  logic's  half  so  weighty  as  a  tear. 


..,fwS'!- 


■•w'>.A  f 


Holiness  and  wisdom  are  the  grand  requisites  of  a  use- 
ful gospel  ministry;  if  we  would  constrain  othera,  the  love 
of  Christ  must  constrain  us;  and  whosoever  would  persuade 
others  must  be  persuaded  himself.  Can  there  be  a  greater 
solecism  than  a  covetous  minister  preaching  generosity,  a 
passionate  meekness,  a  proud  lowliness,  and  a  lascivious  chas- 
tity ?  Thou,  therefore,  that  teachest  another,  teachestthou 
not  thyself  ?  thou  that  preachest  a  man  should  not  steal,  dost 
thou  steal  ?  thou  that  sayest  a  man  should  not  commit 
adultery,  dost  thou  commit  adultery  ?  thou  that  roakest  thy 
boast  of  the  law  through  breaking  the  law,  dishonourest  thou 
God  ?  hence  the  necessity  of  holiness  :  the  general  must 
lead  his  army,  the  master  set  the  example  to  his  di^iples 


and  the  father  to  his  children. 


fl>   v^li,,    s,^^^«f!>>«'  l^-T;*^*-'  vfi    '^^.-j 


His  preaching  much,  but  more  his  practice  wrought ; 
A  lively  pattern  of  the  truths  he  taught. 


,.*vl: 


.•fi*. 


A  preacher  should  \\y6  near  to  God  himself;  this  will 
inspire  warmth  of  feeling;  non^  will  so  readily  pi'evail 


JOSnVA  MARSDEN. 


100 


THE  CHR?     '   %M  riEACRBR  HAS  A  FIlfE  FIELD  FOR  EtOaUENCE. 


with  anotlier  as  he  that  is  warmed  with  his  theme; 
words  will  follow  of  course  when  the  miod  is  heated  and 
ioflamed  with  the  subject.  A  lively  sense  of  tht  love  of 
God,  the  value  of  immortal  souls,  and  the  importance  of 
ealvatioQ,  will  inspire  a  preacher  with  eloquence  a  thou- 
sand 'times  more  forcible,  than  all  the  meretricious  orna- 
ments of  pretty  speaking :  but  a  cold  minister  will  never 
make  others  warm ;  a  dull  one  cannot  inspire  liveliness, 
uor  will  a  formal  minister  ever  excite  his  congregation  to 
fervency.  But  how  noble  a  field  has  the  pious,  affectionate 
minister,  from  which  he  may  select  the  most  moving 
subjects ;  how  feeling  a  theme  is  the  death  of  Christ,  the 
love  of  God,  the  joys  of  glory ;  how  interesting  to  the 
christian  is  communion  with  God,  the  beauties  of  holiness, 
the  solemnities  of  death,  and  the  awful  pomp  of  the  day  of 
judgment.  Deeply  impressed  with  these,  he  will  speak 
glowiD"  words.  -^^  *f^  *^.rfi*?f5?%(?^^f "ii^rf*  • 

"  Not mov'd,  but  wrapt— not vakea*d, but inspir'd."      ''^Missa^sv 

What  made  the  ancient  orators  so  eloquent  ?  They 
spoke  with  a  warm  feeling  of  their  subjects,  and  were  alter- 
nately moved  with  grief,  anger,  rage,  pity,  zeal  or  patriot- 
ism. What,  said  iEschines  to  the  people  of  Rhodes,  who 
were  greatly  moved  at  his  reading  the  oration  that  caus- 
ed his  banishment  ?  What,  would  you  have  felt  had  you 
heard  Demosthenes  with  all  his  irresistible  eloquence  de- 
liver it?  Tenderness  of  affection  is  essential  to  good  speak- 
ing. Jesus  wept — Grace  was  poured  upon  his  lips.  Mr. 
Whitefield's  [rawers  of  oratoiy  were  attributed  to  this  af- 
fection, which  is  contrary  to  that  sour,  scolding  method 

some  good  men  fall  into.   A  hard,  thundering,  driving  way 

k2 


'■"^'i 


.mM 


no 


MBMOir  %  OF 


I  WIIIKD  TO  rilBACa  TIB  OOtrtL  TO  THK  UATHEHt. 


of  preaching,  ihll  affect  some  aenrile  spirita,  but  moit  love 
to  be  drawn. 


He  preaeh*d  the  gcwpel,  and  he  preaehM  the  law ) 

He  Bometimes  drove,  but  ahraya  lor'd  to  draw ; 

He  bore  his  great  commiauon  in  hia  look. 

And  sweetly  tenper'd  awe,  and  aotten'd  all  be  ipoke.    Daroi!!. 


A  tender  appeal  to  the  coDscience,  and  an  affectionate 
address  to  the  heart,  will  effect  a  thousand  times  more  than 
loud  boisterous  haranguing — sound  words  should  not  be 
omitted.  This  the  apostle  recommends— wei^tj  words 
befitting  the  subject,  not  finical,  flowery,  spruce  terms. 


A  low  conceit,  in  pompous  words  exprest. 
Is  like  a  fool  in  regal  purple  drest. 


Pen. 


Kot  vulgar  phrases,  but  suitable,  decent,  dignified  ex- 
pressions.   But  to  return. 

'i  I  now  felt  an  earnest  desire  to  be  given  up  to  the  work 
of  the  ministrj,  and  also  a  wish  (if  the  Lord  opened 
the  way)  to  c^ry  the  gospel  into  foreign  lands,  though 
alas!  I  had  neither  the  fortitude,  patience,  prudence,  nor 
wisdom,  such  a  work  required.  It  is  true,  I  knew  that  my 
sufficiency  is  of  the  Lord,  and  was  confident  be  would 
prepare  the  bark  for  the  storm,  and  the  soldier  for 
the  battle.  My  earnest  desire  was  to  be  usefiil,  apd  I 
wished  for  a  field  in  which  my  abilities  would  be  both  use- 
ful and  acceptable :  the  case  of  the  poor  heathens  appeared 
to  me  truly  deplorable,  and  I  felt  a  strong  desire  to  be  in- 
stnimental  in  plucking  some  of  these  brands  from  the  fire. 
I  thought,  as  many  of  my  brethren  beside*  thai  a  mission 
requires  fewer  abilities  than  a  home  station ;  that  a  man 
may  be  competent  to  preach  abroad,  who'  is  by  do  means 
lit  to  preach  in  England ;  but  from  thirteen  years  e:qp^ri- 


-^a^' 


.4. 


n 


JOSHUA  MAMPJSN. 


4ii 


MIMIOMI  VMDBR  THB  rATKONAai  CP  TBI    NITItll  0O»rB»]ICK. 

saBassaaaagBSSBs^aB^BHaHMHaaiaBHiaanaaHaBaai^HaHKBassr 

eoce  I  am  persuaded  that  the  rerene  of  thk  ia  the  case.   I 

grant,  that  had  he  nothiog  to  do  but  ftddrfM  a  few  illltcrale 

blacksi  there  might  be  lome  plauilbility  in  the  oplaioo ; 

though  eveo  theo,  it  lidoubtful  whether  itdoea  uot  requbre 

some  skill  to  come  down  to  their  lerel,  and  iome  coosidera- 

ble  knowledge,  to  deal  with  the  moit  peculiar  people  in  the 

world. 

The  British  Conference  hare  two  principal  Mif- 

sions^  under  thebr  patronage,  If  ovt  Scotia  and  the  West- 
Indies;  to  these  I  might  add  the  Bahama  and  Somers  Isl- 
ands ;  the  last,  on  account  of  ita  iimilaritx,  I  call  a  prettj 
good  specimen  of  the  Weit  Indian  Archipelago )  of  the 
former,  I  would  say,  that  the  par  of  information  is  greater 
than  among  people  of  a  ihnilar  daii  at  home.  Most  of  the 
settlers  in  ITova  Scotia  are  people  who  have  travelled ; 
they  are  pretty  well  off;  and  ponening  a  good  deal  of  lei- 
sure, have  superior  advantagea  of  information  to  many  in 
England  and  the  United  Statei.  With  n^rd  to  llie  Bermu- 
das or  Somen  Islands,  although  the  blacks  are  not  informed, 
and  numbers  of  then*  «annot  read,  yet  we  have  to  preach 


•  The  following  ii  the  state  oC  tb«  Mettodilt  fONip  MlMioos;  they  are 
sopported  by  the  British  Metbodirt  CoBdMiofl  tt »  very  gmt  Mnual  nplBose : 

Tortolt,    .   .   ,   .    .    i    .   .    .  9176 

gt,  Btftbolonfwi, 200 

St.  Builitlui, S4« 


Europe  and4friea. 

Gibraltar, M 

Sierral/eone,  in  Afriei,    .     .     ,    50 

West  IndUi. 
Antigua,*(  whites,  coloured  people, 

andblaekB,) 8407 

Dominica, MO 

Grenada, 93 

TriniAtd,    .    , IM 

£t.  Christophers,     .....     83M 

Nevis, M8 

St  Thomas,   ..«...,,    09 

St  Vincents, ,    .    1133 

BarbadoeSf   .   r  <   .  .r  . '. .  ■,.   410 


Bitium  liltmli, 50S 

IffrtMtdM  Of  ion#n  Islands,     .     136 
NoTtleotlt,  IPrlM*  fkhrards  Isl- 
tnd,  Md  N^w-Bnunwlck,    .  .  iiao 

VtwfoUSdiMd, 220 

PrinM  Edwirdi  Iilud,    ...     so 


Totri  in  ioelity  00  f  orclin 
MiWiOAIf   ,,,,,. 


13,393 


"t;»-  H'^f  ^^rp%^    ^^'■'\^:. 


J12 


MEMOIRS    OV 


A   MIIIIONART  iKOVLD  IB  WELL  HiroaMBO. 

before  persons  of  both  learning,  talents,  and  respectability, 
irith  whom  also  ve  have  sometimes  to  converse)  to  answer 
their  objections,  and  refute  their  ai|;uments.  A  missionary 
to  a  foreign  land  requires  a  competent  knowledge  of  the 
world  and  mankind ;  not  as  seen  through  the  medium  of 
books,  but  actual  experience  and  observation.  Many 
people  abroad  think  the  Methodists  mere  Ooths  with  re- 
gard to  knowledge,  and  downright  enthusiasts  with  respect 
to  religion.  A  missionary  has  to  mix  on  different  occa- 
sions with  men  who  have  travelled,  who  are  possessed  of 
various  information,  some  learning,  and  frequently  great 
acuteness:  to  such,  an  uninformed  missionary  would  be 
a  laughing-stock,  a  discredit  to  his  sacred  office,  and  a 
disgrace  to  the  people  that  gave  him  their  patronage.  I 
have  sometimes  been  deeply  pained  to  hear  various  sub- 
jects started,  upon  which  none  of  ihe  preachers  present 
could  converse;  and  who,  if  appealed  to,  seemed  at  a  loss 
for  an  answer;  or  were  as  much  beside  the  subject,  as  a 
respectable  doctor  I  knew  in  the  Somers  Islands,  who,  when 
asked  by  two  ladies  present,  wb^t  was  the  meaning  of  the 
sun  entering  Aries,  puttit}<^  oii  a  very  grave  countenance 
he  replied,  that  he  supposed  Aries  was  some  cross  plant  of 
Venus.  A  general  knowledge  of  history,  geography, 
grammar,  jurisprudence,  the  rudiments  of  geometry,  bota- 
ny and  chemistry,*  together  with  a  tolerable  good  know- 
ledge of  the  elements  of  astronomy  and  the  Belles  Lettres, 

*  If  any  one  supposes  that  I  havexaised  the  standard  of  missiottary  qmliftca- 
tions  too  high,  I  would  refer  him  to  the  Uev,  Melvill  Home's  L^  r* .  .3  ..  ro  j. 
filons,  ami  also  to  the  Rev.  Doctor  Adam  i  larke's  Letter  to  a  Yficht.'r  T  ■:•;; 
the  above  quHliiications  are  requisite  for  an  aceomplisbed  miis  vi' /  '\ut  L.it 
a  man  maybe  very  useful  as  a  preacher,  who  neither  understands  twiaiiy,  geome- 
xey,  nor  chemistry— however,  a  Itnowletlgc  of  these  will  both  add  to  his  satisfac- 
tioo  aod  uscfuluesi. 

-'    ■■'■'-    .-.       --  -     .         -■.      ■  .     .-  -         -      ■  .'•-    S^ 


^^^: 


.jfa 


f^ 


i»  -■«■:* 


M' 


::ir'h, 


JOaBVA  MAltSDKN. 


113 


BH«AaBD  TO  OO  Olt  A  MIUIOII  TO  NOTA  ICOTIA. 


— ai_  .-I 


are  alniMt  iodbpeosable  to  the  usefnl  and  accomplisbed 
DissioDar^.  Nay,  1  would  add,  that »  knowledge  of  most 
of  these  is  necessarj  to  a  thorough  a  'd  competeot  know- 
ledge of  God*8  Holj  Word.  Let  therefore  that  diagrace- 
ftil  expreasioD  (aoy  thhig  will  do  for  a  ffli88ioDar>  !)  be  for 
ever  exploded ;  for  even,  let  me  addf  that  the  very  wise 
and  important  persona  that  use  it,  would  sometimes,  per> 
haps,  find  themselves  at  a  loss  were  they  sent  upon  this 
critical  ph    >  tO:  ^.entous  errand. 

In  ihw    e..i   .  ;00,  Mr.  William  Black,  superintendent 
of  !y .  ^r  ?cotia  and  New  Bnuiswick,  came  to  England  to 
.  i;t'cit  miMJcHiaries  from  the  Conference  for  that  part  of 
liritish  North  America.— My  mind  was^trongly  drawn  out 
to  ofler  myself  as  a  missionary  on  this  occasion;    and 
after  some  deliberation  and  prayer  for  direction,  I  wrote 
to  Ml*.  Black;  he  requested  me  to  meet  him  at  Man- 
chester, that  we  might  converse  upon  the  subject;  at  which 
time  it  was  agreed  that  Mr.  B.  should  lay  it  before  the 
Conference  that  was  to  meet  in  London  in  the  year  1800. 
The  preachers  complied  with  Mr.  Black^s  request,  and  ap- 
pointed me  to  labour  as  a  missionary  in  Nova  Scotia,  un- 
der the  direction  of  Doctor  Thomas  Coke,  as  generd  su- 
perintendent of  all  the  Conference  Missions.    After  taking 
a  solemn  and  affectionate  leave  of  all  my  friends,  some  of 
whom  said  they  would  sooner  follow  me  to  the  grave,  I 
hastened  to  Liverpool  to  make  ready  for  my  departure. 
Here  I  met  my  four  colleagues,  Mr.  Black,  Messrs.  Low- 
^'"^,  Bennet,  and  Oliphant ;  all  young  in  the  woriE,  young 
in  years,  and  young  in  experience — perhaps  the  sum  total 
of  the  abilities  of  all  four  might  have  constituted  an  able 
missionary.     ^Brother  Beonet,  however,  has  been  a  pious, 


^'i 


114 


MCMOIRS  OP 


OCR  VOTAOI  TO   HALIFAX. 


useful,  and  acceptable  mioister ;  he  is  now  superintendent 
of  the  work  in  Nova  Scotia.  Brother  James  Lowrey  left 
his  mission,  being  somewhat  unwell,  went  to  the  United 
States,  and  after  meeting  with  some  heavy  trials  returned 
to  England,  where  he  still  travels.  Brother  Oliphant  giv- 
ing way  to  his  besctment,  was  finally  suspended,  and  I  be- 
lieve now  keeps  a  school  somewhere  to  the  eastward  of  Bos- 
ton, With  regard  to  myself,  I  have  gone  limping  forward; 
the  enemy  has  thrust  sore  at  me ;  frequently  have  I  been 
ready  to  halt,  and  sometimes  I  have  been  nearly  down;  and 
I  can  only  say,  that  I  have  endeavoured  to  limp  forward 
as  well  as  my  infirmities  would  permit. 

We  sailed  about  the  24th  of  August  in  the  Snow  Spar- 
row, captain  Humble,  for  Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia.  All 
my  worthy  brethren  were  very  sick,  save  myself,  so  I  was 
enabled  to  attend  them  in  their  affliction.  We  had  prayer 
evening  and  morning,  and  preaching  once  or  twice  on  the 
sabbath  during  our  whole  voyage.  Nothing  material  oc- 
curred till  we  arrived  near  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland, 
when  we  were  chased  by  a  corvette  privateer,  who  bore 
down  upon  us  in  a  very  warlike  style,  but  being  two  in 
company,  and  both  well  armed,  she  thought  fit  to  sheer  oll^ 
so  we  pursued  our  voyage.  A  little  after  this,  a  circum- 
stance happened  thai,  but  for  the  guardian  care  of  a  watch- 
ful Providence,  might  have  proved  fatal  to  several  of  the 
missionaries,  as  well  as  myself.  The  weather  being  fine,  the 
^ay  calm,  and  the  ship  having  but  little  way  through  the 
water,  as  we  had  been  better  than  five  weeks  at  sea,  tiie 
captain  proposed  swimming  alongside,  for  which  purpose 
he  let  down  a  stage,  requesting  the  mate  to  take  the  boat 
some  distance  from  the  vessel  and  try  for  a  current.  Meaa- 


-■,■  .V  -'-iifj-^ 


.TOBHVA  MAR8DBM. 


115 


BIMOULAIl   DEUVESAMCE  FROM   SHARKS. 


while  several  of  us  launched  into  the  mightj  ocean,  and 
were  swimmiug  about  the  ship,  till  the  mate,  who  was  some 
distance  oflf,  hailed  the  Sparrow,  requestiog  those  over- 
board to  get  into  the  vessel  as  quick  as  possible,  for  that 
he  had  seen  two  large  sharks  swimming  alongside  the  boat, 
which  he  suspected  had  left  the  ship  to  follow  him :  thus 
were  wei  by  the  good  Providence  of  God,  and  a  singular 
coiucidence  of  circumstances,  saved  from  a  terrible  un- 
timely death.  Truly,  we  were  enabled  to  say  as  Jouah, 
"  I  will  sacrifice  unto  thee ;  with  the  voice  of  thanksgiving 
I  will  pay  that  I  have  vowed — salvation  is  of  tlie  Lord  !" 
Had  the  boat  not  left  the  vessel  we  might  all  of  us  have 
been  destroyed :  had  she  gone  a  little  later  the  danger  was 
equally  great;  had  she  returned  before  we  went  into  the 
water,  the  sharks  would  have  come  back  with  her,  and 
would  have  darted  on  their  prey.  He  that  has  no  eyes  to 
behold  the  particular  Providence  of  God  in  such  events,  is 
blitid  as  a  mole,  and  stupid  as  a  beast.  Praise  the  Lord, 
0  my  soul !  bless  and  magnify  his  holy  name  !   ,  v 


■.¥m. 


AN  EMBLEMATICAL   REFLECTION. 

We  arrived  in  Halifax  the  fourth  of  October,  after  a 
passage  of  six  weeks ;  all  through  boundless  mercy  in 
good  health,  save  our  worthy  brother  Bennet.  What  a 
lively  emblem  is  the  life  of  a  mariner  of  the  voyage  of  a 
Christian  to  the  peaceful  shores  of  calm  eternity !  A 
thousand  rocks  and  dangerous  reefs  lie  hid  in  every  part 
of  the  faithless  sea !  Here  the  vortex  of  despair  whirls  its 
boiling  and  tumultuous  waves !  Now  the  boisterous  storms 
of  affliction  blow  with  terrible  fury!  Anon  gusts  of  sudden 
temptation  descending  like  the  white-winged  squall,  terri^ 


116 


iiEMons  9F 


anc;;: 


ARRIVlI.  IN  HALirAZ,  AND  C0KDIAI.  RECEFTIOIf. 


l^ 


-m 


If' 


n^ 


<■*■ 


hly  mffle  and  agitate  the  peaceful  surface  of  (F^  muIj 
Now  he  glides  sweeUy  before  the  auspicious  gales  of  faith 
and  love— 'by  and  by  an  athwartiog  current  of  cornipt 
nature  sets  him  several  points  out  of  his  regular  coune— 
sometimes  he  cannot  fathom  the  mysteriousdepths  of  Divine 
FroTidence— and  often  through  the  dead  calms  of  luke- 
warmnesshe  is  hindered  from  pursuing  his  heavenly  voy. 
flge  :  though  his  sun  is  still  in  the  firmanent,  yet  his  soul 
is  often  perplexed  for  want  of  a  clear  discovery  of  his 
meridian  splendour,  from  which  to  begin  a  dcw  data  and 
pursue  his  voyage— but  soon  as  the  Immortal  darts  his 
splendour  through  the  dark  clfiids  the  .  ?     ^    ,„. .  j  ^^ 


'        .  Saint  expands  bis  wings 

y^if «.  ii>^.^  '^«%jde  to  the  wind ;  and  as  be  sails  tie  aingt, 

^fr,^     .^  ;  Aad  loses,  by  degrees,  the  sight  of  mortal  thinga. 

'■'"*  As  the  shores  lessen,  80  bit  joyB  arise,  Vm,?,#s>' '»r?' 

f^,- vt,^  ••*.  The  wavesroll  gentler  and  the  tempest  dies.       imiH  i#|%W.' 

*    /  Now  vast  eternity  fills  all  his  sight;  "  -    -  j,  " 

•^         "  He  floats  on  the  broad  deep  with  infinite  delight, 

^  The  se^  for  ever  calm,  and  skies  for  ever  bright.  Watt «. 

The  friends  in  Halifax  received  us  with  every  mark  of 
gladness,  and  welcomed  our  arrival  to  the  new  world 
with  much  christian  affection.  Perhaps  in  no  part  of  the 
world  is  there  a  kinder  or  more  generous  society,  than 
the  flock  at  Halifax :  may  they  never  lack  both  spiritual 
blessings  and  temporal  comforts. 

I  would  here  say  a  word  or  two  of  this  capital  of  New 
Scotland ;  as  it  both  is,  and  will  always  be  to  the  British, 
a  place  of  great  importance.  The  town  is  an  oblong 
square,  extending  from  what  they  call  fresh  water  river, 
to  the  southward,  and  to  the  king^s  dock-yard,  in  a  north- 
erly direction.  The  whole  length  of  the  town  is  perhaps 
two  miles;  it  contains  a  laige  garrison,  a  naval  yard,  aind 


JOSHUA  MARlOEN. 


117 


HALIFAX   TBI  CAPITAL  OF  HOTA  SCOTIA. 

a  population  of  perhaps  se^ea  or  eight  thousand  souls : 
herti  we  have  a  spacious  misnon-house)  a  large  commo- 
dious chapel,  and    a    respectable   number    of  worthy 

Halifax  has  a  fine  market,  and  abounds  with  all  the 
blcssiogs  of  life;  here  are  two  Episcopal  churches,  a  Ro- 
man catholic  church,  a  laiige  Presbyterian  church)  a  place 
of  worship  for  the  Baptists,  and,  I  believe,  across  the  har- 
bour, a  Friends*  meetiog-house.  There  is  a  fine  Govern- 
ment-house, a  house  for  the  second  in  command,  a- Court- 
house) Arsenal,  Marine  Hospital,  long  ranges  of  soldi^* 
and  ofiicers'  barracks;  with  a  number  of  other  fublic 
buildings.  The  tOM'n  is  the  residence  of  the  Governor, 
the  Bishop  of  Nova  Scotia,  and  also  the  Admiral,  during 
the  summer  months ;  and  a  number  of  other  officers  be- 
longing to  Government.  Many  of  the  buildings  are  hand- 
some, and  rising  on  the  declivity  of  a  hill)  have  a  fine  i^- 
pearance  from  the  water.  When  1  first  arrived,  the 
houses  were  all  of  wood,  elegantly  painted ;  but  now  they 
have  both  brick  and  stone  buildings.  •  >^^*  .  -       *ar 

Halifax  will  in  time  become  a  place  of  great  trade  be- 
twixt Nova  Scotia  and  the  West  India  Islands;  the 
present  exports  are  fur,  lumber,  staveS)  fishi  butter,  beef) 
and  pork.      *  '•'*         '  '  •  '^••<h«.-?-  Mir-*? 

As  Nova  Scotia  has  long  been  upon  the  Minutes  of  the 
British  Conference,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  say  something 
of  the  work  of  God  in  it.  The  first  particular  stir  about 
religion  in  this  cold  and  little  known  colony,  was  among  a 
few  Methodist  emigrants  from  Yorkshire,  assisted  by  a 
Mr.  Scur,  who  had  been,  and  then  acted  as  a  class-lead* 
er.    About  this  time  a  Mr.  Allen,  a  New-Light  preacher) 


*f 


&H. 


.^.. 


4t^ 


iia 


MEMaiRS  OF 


riRBT  PREACRBRB   IR  NOVA  SCOTIA. 


#• 


went  about  the  country,  and  became  the  means  of  good  to 
many;  he  appears  to  have  been  an  .upright,  but  mistaken 
man;  he  held  many  singular  and  absurd  opinions. 

Mr.  Black,  whose  father  had  emigrated  from  Hudder- 
field,  was  now  raised  up,  and  has  for  many  years  been  a 
faithful  and  laborious  minii|ter  of  the  Gospel.  John  and 
James  Mann  came  from  the  United  States  to  this  proyince 
during  the  war;  they  have  for  many  years  been  truly  use- 
ful. A  few  years  after  the  war,  Freeborn  Garrettson  was 
appointed  to  a  mission  in  this  country,  and  travelled  the 
peninsula  with  great  success.  Afterwards  Mr.  Wesley  sent 
James  Wray  Qrom  Ei^land  to  take  cbaige  of  the  work, 
who,  though  a  good  man,  was  not  so  acceptable;  he  died 
on  a  mission  to  the  West  Indies.  Mr.  M<Coll  was  ser- 
geant in  a  Scotch  regiment,  and  having  been  converted 
liimseif,  settled  at  St.  Stephens,  upon  the  river  St.  Croix, 
which  forms  the  boundary  line ;  he  has  been  very  useful. 
To  these  were  added,  from  time  to  time,  a  number  of 
young  preachers  from  the  United  States,  many  of  whom 
went  back,  some  located,  and  left  the  work,  others  died : 
only  one  missionary  had  been  sent  by  the  British  Confer- 
ence prior  to  our  arrival,  Mr.  Abraham  John  Bishop, 
whom  I  shall  hereafter  have  cause  to  mention. 

There  were  in  the  country  at  this  time,  (1800,) 
brother  William  Black,  John  and  James  Mann,  Duncan 
M'Coll,  and  John  Cooper,  who  has  since  joined  the 
Baptists.  The  following  circuits  were  destitute  of  preach- 
ers; Liverpool,  oa  the  eastern  shores  of  the  Atlantic,  St. 
John,  the  capital  of  New  Brunswick,  on  the  bay  of  Fundy ; 
Shelburn  or  Fort  Rose  way,  Windsor,  in  the  center  of  the 
peninsula,   and  Cumberland,  at  the  entrance  of  it:    to 


# 


t  [ 


JOSHUA   MARSOEN. 


119 


EltTERSO  ON   Mr  MISSION— TAKEN   SICK. 


this  last  place  I  was  appointed.  My  circuit  was  that  part 
of  Nova  Scotia  that  iocluded  the  boundary  line  of  the 
province  of  New  Brunswick ;  the  land  beiag  indented  by 
the  bay  of  Fundy  on  tlie  one  side,  and  tlie  gulf  of  St. 
Lawrence  on  the  other,  may  very  properly  be  called  the 
the  isthmus  of  Nova  Scotia. 

The  county  of  Cumberland  h  mostly  settled  by  old 
Yorkshire  farmers  or  their  descendants,  many  of  them 
worthy  men.  Here  the  seed  of  Methodism  was  first 
sowed,  and  a  revival  of  religion  took  place,  which  gave 
spiritual  birth  to  Mr.  William  Black,  who  for  thirty 
years  past  has  laboured  in  North  America.       '^ 

After  staying  a  little  while  in  Halifax,  I  set  off  for  my 
circuit,  where  the  people  having  no  preacher,  received 
me  with  singular  satisfaction  and  kindness,  and  were  veiy 
indulgent  to  my  weakness  and  inability.  My  circuit  was 
forty  miles  long,  the  roads  bad,  and  sometimes  the  weather 
also ;  however,  I  felt  determined,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to 
devote  myself  to  his  glory.  This  was  late  in  the  fall;  the 
weather  now  became  remarkably  cold.  Indeed  no  one  that 
has  only  been  used  to  the  cold  of  an  English  winter,  can 
conceive  the  intense  severity  of  the  winters  in  Nova  Sco- 
tia :  sometimes  the  snow  is  four  feet  deep,  the  ice  upon  the  ri- 
vers two  and  three  feet  thick.  The  cold  penetrates  the  warm- 
est roqms,  the  warmest  clothes,  ami  the  warmest  constitu- 
tions, and  frequently  freezes  to  death  those  who  Iorp  their 
way  in  the  woods,  or  get  bewildered  in  a  snow-storm. — 
Truly  may  it  be  said  here.  Who  can  stand  before  His 
cold  ?  In  a  little  while  I  was  attacked  with  a  cough  and 
hoarseness,  and  my  frequent  exposures  increased  them  to 
such  a  degree,  as  nearly  deprived  me  of  steep ;  however, 


..,^.; 


«        ^^u^ 


120 


MEMOIRS  OF 


ssszqsEKBOHMaan 


RUOIOKD  IN  TIIBVLATIOV. 


as  the  quarterly  meeting  was  coming  on,  I  would  Dot  glr^; 
Hp,  and  continued  tniYetting  and  preaebiDg  till  the  day  on 
which  it  too^  place. 

On  the  same  evening,  I  rode  sereral  mlki  to  my  ap* 
pointment,  and  gave  my  cold  the  fini»blpg  rtroko*  The 
next  day,  being  very  unwell,  I  took  to  my  room  j  but  aftfei' 
a  week's  confinement,  I  again  ventured  out  to  preicb,  tad 
came  home  with  a  violent  fever;  my  fieih  buroad  like  a 
fire,  and  yet  I  shivered  with  cold.  I  bad  now  to  take  oi^ 
bed  in  good  earnest,  to  which  and  my  room  I  wai  coa< 
fined  eight  weeks ;  but  during  my  afilietioo  I  bad  lueh  n 
display  of  the  power  of  religion,  as  is  beyond  human  lad« 
guage  to  describe ;  such  sweet  communion  with  0od|  lueli 
soul  ravishing  manifestations  of  his  love,  aa  eieeeded  all 
my  ideas  of  spiritual  enjoyment.  My  room  waa  an  Edea^ 
and  my  bed  appeared  to  be  the  porch  of  heaven.  I  could 
have  been  willing  to  bear  an  age  of  suf&riHg  for  fueh  a 
lleaveu  of  enjojrment.    Pain  and  weakneif  did  not  pre* 

'  vent  me  from  weeping  for  joy,  and  praiting  Ood  all  th* 
day.  Surely  if  all  the  devils  in  hell,  and  all  the  deists 
upon  earth,  were  to  persuade  mc  this  was  only  Ifflagloa* 

;  tion,  I  would  not  believe  them. 

But  bhall  we  give  up  the  noble,  the  sweetf  the  ieraph* 
ic  part  of  evangelical  piety,  to  the  cold'heart^d  fflorali«(, 
the  stiff  Pharisee,  or  the  sceptical  and  captioui  deist?  Att 

<r  ^e4i^44y  the  noblest  emotions  of  religion,  the  pureit  hon- 
ours of  the  cross,  and  the  most  lovely  and  foul-ravinftiag 
fruits  of  the  Spirit,  at  the  feet  of  Zeno  or  IpietetUi  ?  Shall 
we  measure  our  religion  by  a  standard  borrowed  from  the 
cold  and  uninflamed  philosophers  of  ancient  daya,  or  tlii; 
fastidious  nominal  christians  of  the  prrsant  dsy  f  Gy  lhr«e 


,>a4 

&    %■ 
'lf\    * 

This 

though  '. 
remarki 
experiei 
but  a  yo 
just  in  m 


land,  wi 

and  bein 

into  dec 

ciously  1 

of  religi( 

ful  drau, 

have  .go< 

On  this 

the  blesi 

with  a  n 

consolati 

Gospel 

occasion. 

vas  whi 


H 


JOSHUA.  UAR8DJKN. 


121 


.-iit-'S 


2r#r-^' 


n.. 


REASOSI  rOK  THUC  JOrOCS  MAiriPESTATIONS. 


Each  pure  seraphic  blin  thtt  warmt  the  uiot, 
Bliss  which  no  human  eloquence  can  pUnt, 
The  peace  that  forms  an  Eden  in  the  soul, 
The  joys  that  sweetly  rise  and  gently  roll, 
The  sacred  commerce  of  a  soul  above, 
The  ardent  flame  of  pure  ecstatic  love, 
The  tears  that  tell  our  crimson  sins  forgiven, 
The  sighs  that  Waft  the  raptur'd  soul  to  heaven, 
Are  deem'd  a  sprightly  fancy,  or  at  best, 
The  soft  emotions  of  an  amprous  breast. 

^  In  apostolic  days  they  will  allow, 

'  The  saints  had  Joys,  but  can't  believe  them  now : 
I'hese  sacred  streams  above  their  level  rise, 
This  standard's  too  exalted  for  their  size ; 
They  spurn  the  Christian's  sweet  experience. 
Because  above  the  summit  of  their  sense. 


■  :*, 


This  affliction  was  the  gate  of  heaven  to  1117  soul, 
though  I  cannot  ascribe  these  luminous  manifestations  to 
remarkable  faithfulness,  nor  yet  to  an  uncomraonty  deep 
experience  in  divine  things.  With  regard  to  religion,  I  was 
but  a  young  pilgrim,  and  as  it  respects  ministerial  growth) 
just  in  my  infancy.  Perhaps  the  follbwiog  reasons  may  be 
assigned :  I  was  far  from  home,  was  a  stranger  in  a  strange 
land,  Was  just  as  it  were  beginning  my  missionary  career, 
and  being  stopped  at  the  vciy  threshold,  might  have  sunk 
into  deep  dejection,  had  not  God  wonderfully  and  gra- 
ciously supported  me.  I  had  tasted  much  of  the  sweetness 
of  religion,  but  now  the  Lord  gave  me  a  deep  and  delight- 
ful draught,  to  prepare  me  for  the  blessed  work  to  which  I 
have  good  reason  to  believe  his  providence  had  called  me. 
On  this  sick  bed  I  had  an  opportunity  of  meditating  upon 
the  blessed  truths  of  the  Gospel,  each  of  which  now  shone 
with  a  new  evidence  to  my  soul,  and  brought  some  divine 
consolation  along  with  it.  Never  did  the  ministry  of  the 
Gospel  appear  either  so  desirable  or  important  as  on  that 
occasion.  If  a  wish  for  recovery  stole  across  my  itiind,  it 
was  while  reflecting  on  the  precious  love  of  Christ  to  rin- 


J- 


^f 


.4 


122 


MEMOIRS   OF 


imoBT  Tixws  or  catiiT'a  divinitt. 


oen.    How  sweetly  did  my  loul  enter  ioto  the  experience 
of  those  lioei : 


Htpp7,  if  with  my  latest  breath 
I  may  but  gasp  hit  name, 
Preach  him  to  all,  and  cry  in  death, 
Behold,  behold  the  Lamb  I 


n«t-' 


Weslkt. 


-•.•^il 


Nothing  was  more  plain  to  me  during  this  illnessi  than  the 
supreme  and  eternal  divinity  of  the  ineffable  Redeemer. 
I  could  have  staked  my  eternal  all  upon  this  truth;  and 
If  Saint  Athanasius  had,  in  addition  to  the  testimony  of 
holy  Scripture,  such  an  inward  evidence,  I  do  not  wonder 
at  the  bold,  decided,  and  persevering  stand  he  made 
against  Arianism— nor  yet,  that  he  should  call  Arianism 
the  sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost.  This  appeared  to  me 
the  key-stone  of  the  christian  arch,  the  centre  of  union  to 
><^^  the  whole  system,  the  light,  and  life,  and  all-pervadiog  soul 
of  religion.  If  we  rob  Christ  of  his  glory,  and  tear  this 
u  noblest  tenet  from  the  creed,  what  is  therein  the  christian 
religion  but  a  farrago  of  idolatry,  or  a  system  of  deism  ? 

I  recollect  once  to  have  heard  in  England  an  eminent 

minister  of  the  gospel,  so  to  identify  his  eternal  salvation 

with  this  important  doctrine,  as  to  assert,  that  he  was  con* 

f  tent  to  be  damned  if  Christ  were  not  God;  to  which  my 

V  soul  replied  with  all  its  powers,  "  and  so  am  I.'* 

Some  of  my  friends  from  different  parts  of  the  circuit 
coming  in  to  see  me,  I  desired  to  be  propped  up  in  bed, 
that  I  might  once  more  have  the  pleasure  of  preaching  a 
crucified  Saviour;  and  it  was  a  most  solemn  and  refreshing 
time.  Sighs  and  tears,  weeping  and  lamentation,  per- 
#  vaded  the  little  audience,  who  felt  the  molt  poignant  grief 
at  the  idea  of  being  so  soon  separated  from  their  affiikted 


JOSHUA  MABISBN. 


123 


TASTIB  Tl*  SWKITS  Of  PB«rBCT  LOTS. 


brother  and  recent  pastor.  After  a  few  weeks,  the  Lord 
was  pleased  to  give  a  favourable  tura  to  my  diacnrder,  aod 
raise  me  from  the  bed  of  laoguishiDg,  and  soatch  me  from 
the  very  porch  of  the  grave.  Thea  could  I  say,  I  shall 
not  die,  but  live,  and  declare  the  works  of  the  Lord.—. 
Surely  if  I  had  then  died,  death  was  gain;  but  unerring 
wisdom  knows  what  is  best.  I  had  more  work  to  do,  more 
affliction  to  suflfer,  and  more  experience  to  gain;  the  set 
time  was  not  come*  May  the  Redeemer  grant,  that  when 
the  moment  aniTes  the  best  wine  may  be  reserved  to  the 
last. 


>>*%.'. 


Till  glad  I  lay  my  body  doim, 
;,>..hyi!i4.:m-^i>  Ti,y  Berrant,  Lord,  attend; 

.  And  O,  my  life  of  mercy  crown 
Witii  a  triumphant  end. 


WCSLBT 


If  I  ever  experienced  what  Mr.  Wesley  and  the  Metho- 
dists call  perfect  love,  it  was  dt^ring  this  sickness.— I  had 
not,  it  is  true,  the  distinct  explicit  witness;  nor  do  I  know 
that  this  is  promised,  but  I  loved  God  with  all  my  heart : 
I  was  delivered  from  slavish  fears,  from  Impatience,  from  an- 
ger, from  hardness  of  heart ;  my  heart  was  continually  mdted 
as  in  the  fire  of  love,  and  dissolved  to  tenderness  and  thanks- 
givh^.  I  could  rejoice  evermore—pray  without  ceasing, 
and  in  eviery  thing  give  thanks — I  felt  a  supreme  delight  in 
God,  and  an  ardent  desire  to  do  and  suffer  his  righteous  will ; 
and  all  this  was  accompanied  with  the  deepest  humility 
and  self*abasemenr,  joined  to  a  most  piercing  sense  of  my 
nothingness  without  Christ.  Ah  me !  that  I  should  ever  lose 
one  inch  of  this  precious  and  delectable  ground;  for  surely 
then  my  soiA  fed  in  the  green  pastures,  and  drank  of  the 
living  streams  of  perfect  love !  i  ^  w  . 


i..}» 


■:'-M 


124 


MEMOIAB   OF 


PBKACHCR*  IH  MOTA  SCOTIA  LOVB  lACI  OTMCB. 


/, 


s.ixAamj  strength  reciuited  I  longed  to  recommence  the 
blessed  work  of  my  mission,  and  go  out  upon  tlie  curcuit ; 
and  trulj  the  first  sermon  I  preached  after  mj  recovery, 
WAS  with  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  down  from  above — the 
hardest  hearts  were  smitten  as  when  a  :ock  is  broken  to 
pieces  by  the  strokes  of  a  m%bty  hammer.  When  the 
spring  returned  I  set  off  for  our  little  «codference»  which 
was  at  Annapolis;  for  though  in  Nova  Scotia  we  have 
only  (torn  eight  to  ten  preachers,  we  meet  every  year, 
and  as  far  as  possible  imitate  the  connexion  at  home. 
On  these  occasions  our  meetings  were  very  refreshing,  for 
as  iron  sharpeneth  iron  so  doth  the  face  of  a  man  his  fiiend : 
separated  from  each  other  all  the  rest  of  the  year  by  bays, 
rivers,  and  large  tracts  of  wilderness  country,  the  plea* 
sure  of  meeting  becoipes  at  once  a  source  of  ratioual  sa- 
tisfaction and  a  means  of  renewed  friendship,  as  there  are 
few  preachers  in  any  part  of  the  world  more  coixlially-  at- 
tached to  each  other  than  the  missionaries  in  Nova  Scotia. 
;  I  would  observe,  with  regard  to  the  iohabitants  of  this 
^old  wilderness  country,  that  they  are  «ii  general  a  kind, 
friendly,  and  hospitable  people ;  it  is  true,  there  are  a  gre&t 
variety  of  religious  opinions,  and  the  minds  of  many  have 
be^n  poisoned  with  the  worst  kind  of  Antinomianism.  This 
has  led,  in  some  few  instances)  to  the  most  terrible  exctu- 
aes ;  such  as  murder,  incest,  and  awful  extravagance ;  it 
has  disparaged  true  evangelical  rel^ion  amOng  sober 
churchmen,  and  rational  moralists,  who  are  frequently  lipon 
the  watch  for  objections  to  Methodism,  and  who  hence 
frequently  lay  at  the  door  of  vital  piety,  all  the  extrava- 
gancies committed  by  the  vilest  and  most  abandoned  enthu- 
siasts.   I  would,  though  by  the  by,  observe  to  these/.dose 


^ 


JOSRUA  MAM»wr. 


125 


TAIIOVt  Bim  or  INRAIIITA»T«  IN  THI  rtOTIROI. 


iospecton  tnd  UndguinUaM  of  the  purl^  of  Mothodkni, 
» That  they  are  neither  Mothodbti  nor  Diiaeoten  who 
AH  our  prisona,  itand  at  the  bar  for  trial  at  quarter  aei- 
sioDB  or  assizes,  swio|(  upon  our  fallowieSf  dwell  on  board 
the  hulks,  or  are  sent  to  people  New  Holland  among  cul- 
prits."  « 

There  is  a  strong  tioeture  of  bigotry  among  the  Scotch 
part  of  the  population.  Whether  this  arises  from  embra- 
cing the  doctri  ne  of  particular  redemption,  or  the  prejudi- 
ces of  country,  I  will  not  take  on  me  to  determine.  There 
are  in  both  provinces  many  memben  of  the  church  of 
England,  and  some  churchei}  but  there  ia  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  the  EpiseopalUunioterett  hit  been  upon  the  de- 
cline for  several  years  to  both  provioeei.^  The  people,  in 
general,  are  pretty  well  ioformed-— much  more  so,  perhapst 
than  people  of  similar  clasNff,  either  in  England  or  Ireland. 
They  consist  chiefly  of  nativei,  Enf^lih,  Scotch,  Irish, 
Dutch,  Germans,  French,  Amerietm,  and  Indian  Mic- 
macks.  There  have  been  se3ie  blened  rerlvak  of  religion 
in  this  country,  and  much  good  has  been  done;  but  there 
is  still  a  great  need  of  active,  lively,  laborioua^preachers. 
The  Methodists  never  bad  more  than  from  ten  to  twelve 
misBionaries  in  the  two  provinces  {  and  what  are  these  to 
nearly  eighty  thousand  people,  scattered  over  a  country 
four  or  five  hundred  miles  long,  and  from  eighty  to  one 
hundred  miles  wide.    U  is  true,  there  are  nearly  twenty 

*  The  Hbove  remark!  do  n^t  uprinc  trom  bisotrf.  The  author  ia  no  bigot;  be 
knows  it  is  not  Methodism^  Cutviniimi  PrMbytiriiflistn.  nor  Kpiscopalianuro, 
that  makea  a  mah  a  true  cbrlitiw  \  but  fiiitb,  reieoerntlon,  love  to  God  and  man, 
and  universal  obedience  to  the  divine  edmmuds.  To  tli  auch  I  can  say,  by  what- 
ever pale  they  are  inclosed,  Tbiil  ii  IHjr  brethSf'-this  Is  my  friend.  I  love  nil 
^0(1  men,  and  earnestly  prjy  fer  ffiors  Hiiiofl  8«on?  f€«1  f hrbtlan-i. 


i2e 


MEM0IR8   OF 


BOMS  or  THS    DirriOULTIEl  or  A  MllllOIf. 


Episcopal  clergy laeo,  and  perhaps  half  as  many  Presbytc- 
rians ;  but  as  neitlier  of  these  itiaerate,  thousands  of  people, 
immured  ia  the  vroods,  or  scattered  up  and  dowq  the  sea- 
coast,  have  DO  opportunity  of  benefiting  by  their  labours. 
If  these  are  fed  with  the  bread  of  life,  it  roust  be  carried 
to  their  habitations.  A  preacher  must  either  ride  or  walk 
into  theur  settlements.  He  must  be  content  to  look  dan- 
gers and  difficulti§p  in  the  face.  He  must  not  be  too  fastid- 
ious to  make  a  log  cottage  in  tlie  wilderness  his  best  inn ; 
uor  should  he  let  a  snow-storm  or  a  bad  bridge  deter  him 
from  his  appointment. 

i  The  difficulties  and  dangers  of  travelling  in  this  country 
.  are  so  simply  pointed  out  in  the  folbwing  little  poem,  writ- 
ten on  my  leaving  T9'ova  Scotia,  that  1  cannot  resist  the 
.  desire  I  feel  to  insert  it  in  this  place. 


\ 

<• 


K 


^ 


Trou  climate  of  cold,  vhere  the  icy  winds  blow, 
Where  the  maple  fire  burns  and  the  lofty  pines  grow ; 
E'er  I  quit  thy  cold  shores  for  a  happier  clime, 
I'll  chant  my  fareweU  in  a  fragment  of  rhyme. 


fs  Seven  years  have  I  travelPd  thy  desolate  woods ! 

And  cross'd  thy  broad  lakes,  and  thy  icy-paT*d  floods  ! 
i'  With  tempest  and  snow-drift  impeding  my  course, 

And  icicles  hanging  to  me  and  my  horse  1 

1 

(.  But  shall  I  forget  in  tby  winters  severe, 

When  crossing  bleak  marshes  and  barrens  most  drear : 

KuU  many  a  blessing  has  warmed  my  heart, 

Tho*  the  cold  chillM  my  blood,  and  my  fingers  would  smut. 

«.r.  With  a  rapture  of  joy  I  would  grateflilly  bless 

The  cottage  that  cheered  in  thy  bleak  wilderness  ! 

The'  my  lodging  was  cold,  and  the  stars  I  could  see         • 

Thro'  the  chinks  of  my  log-room  bright  twinkling  on  me. 

How  oft  have  I  'scap'd  by  the  skin  of  my  teeth  ! 
When  the  ice  was  worn  thin  by  the  current  beneath ; 
And  when  by  the  showers  the  torrents  were  rais'd, 
I  trembled  till  past,  but  delivered,  I  prajs'd ! 


•^-^^ 


JOSHUA   MARStfGir. 


127 


POETIC   DKICRItTIOM   Of  ROTA  tl  OTIA. 


"       ♦' 


Hraee  learn,  O  mjr  toul  <.  to  pot  truft  la  tby  Lord ! 
Mis  care  and  past  dangert  li«  kept,  on  record : 
The  aea  and  the  deiert  with  safety  are  eron'd { 
B«  faithful,  thou  sbalt  not  in  Jordan  be  lost. 

Tbo*  thy  Spring  ia  uopleaaant,  thy  Winter  Mvere; 
And  freezing  and  sei-fog  encircle  the  year: 
Tetthy  wilda  bare  thei-  game,  and  tby  forests  tbeiritorea, 
And  Icind  are  the  nativui  that  people  tby  shores. 

The  moose  in  tby  woods,  and  the  bears  in  thy  brakes, 
The  trout  in  thy  streams,  and  the  fowls  on  thy  lakes; 
Tby  salmon,  tby  maple,  and  fine  pome-de-terre,** 
A  bountiful  Providence  Jointly  declare. 

Nor  do  I  forget  that  fair  piety  groirs, 

Like  an  ever-green  plant  amid  thy  bleaching  snows: 

Who  rules  the  green  earth  from  the  Oby  to  Kile, 

Has  illumin'd  tby  wastes  with  his  lucific  smile.  , 

Tby  forests  and  snow-drifts,  thy  marshes  and  bo^, 
Thy  birch-cover'd  wigwams  and  sun- veiling  fogs ; 
Thy  cold  rocky  soil,  and  thy  winters  severe, 
T  His  presence  can  sweeten,  his  blessing  can  cheer.  , 

For  'tis  not  in  seasons  or  climes  to  impart 
The  bl|ss  that  enlivens  and  gladdens  the  heart; 
Spitsbergen's  cold  shores,  or  Borneo's  hot  isle, 
Can  please,  if  illumin'd  with  Jesus's  smile. 

That  smile  is  a  spring  of  delight  to  the  soul, 
Tho'  tempests  arise  and  the  fierce  billows  roll : 
It  gladdens  the  desert,  it  cliarms  the  wild  wave. 
Gives  ease  in  alBiction,  and  hopein  the  grave.        *  ■ 

Te  high-coned  pines,  and  ye  balsamic  firs ! 

Ye  maples  so  sweet,  and  ye  quivering  poplars ; 

*Neath  your  shadesf  I  have  stood,  while  ye  beard  me  proclaim 

Salvation  unbounded  thro'  Jesus's  name  ! 

But  ne'er  shall  I  wander  tby  woodlands  again, 
Where  silence  and  gloom,  brother  foresters,  reign  r 
Nor  travel  thy  dreary  Peninsula  o'er, 
From  the  Canada  gulf  to  the  Atlantic  Aore. 

Farewell  to  thy  plains,  and  adieu  to  tby  bilk  ! 
Thy  deep  rapid  rivers,  and  wood-cutting  mills,  ^ 

Thy  terrible  snow-drifts,  thy  bleak  torpid  coast : 
Adieu  to  the  region  of  sea-fog  and  frost ! 


*  Potatoes. 

f  The  author  frequently  preached  in  the  woods. 


c  •' 


♦• 


128 


HEMOIBS  eP  IfV 


■  -L— -Ali 


kUiaiOCS  SBCTt  IN  tBITISH  AMERICA. 


%'  --" 


In  the   winter,  if  the  bdow  is  too  deep  to  ride,  he 
must  take  his  saddle-bags  upon  his  shoulder  and  walk, 
or  put  on  a  pair  of  snow'shoes,  and  trudge  forward  on  its 
surface.    If  hb  lodgings  are  sometimes  cold,  be  will,  at 
least,  find  the  hearts  of  the  people  warn.    If  he  want  re- 
tireoient,  he  is  surrounded  with  silent,  lofty  woods,  nature's 
most  beautiful  temple.    His  food  may  sometimes  be  coarse^ 
but  his  appetite  will  be  keen;  his  rides  may  be  laborioiu, 
but  the  exercise  will  promote  his  health.    This  country  is 
particularly  suited  to  Methodist  pre  achers,  having  little  of 
the  fine,  delicate  gentleman  about  them)  they  harmonize 
more  with  the  simplicity  and  plainness  of  the  people,  i; ;. 
j^v  The  Baptists,  or  as  they  are  more  properly  called,  the 
#  New  LigktSi  have  some  few  worthy  preachers  among  them ; 
but  as  they  have  little  or  no  discipline,  and  differ  as  much 
in  their  private  sentiments,  as  other  denominations  differ 
one  from  another,  they  cannot  be  supposed  extensively  use- 
ful.     The  Scotch  Presbyterians  chiefly  inhabit  Pictou 
Oobbequit,  Truro,  and  i^everal  other  parts  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.    They  have  also  congrega- 
tions at  Comwallis,  Halifax,  &c.     The  Roman  Catholics 
are  generally  deplorably  ignorant  and  blmdfolded—some 
of  these  still  believe  that  their  priests  can  perform  mira- 
cles.   The  Indians  are  mostly  of  this  priest* ridden  per- 
suasion: that  is,  they  are  taught,  that  wearing  a  large 
brass  or  silver  crucifix,  counting  their  beads,  and  confess- 
ing to  the  priest,  will  save  their  souls.    However,  it  must 
be  said,  to  the  honour  of  the  Romish  clergy,  that  their  zea^ 
to  convert  these  poor  outcasts  to  a  false  religion,  exceeds 
that  of  other  ministers  to  convert  them  to  ihe  true*    It  is 
a  great  pity,  that  the  episcopal  ministers,  some  of  whom 


4 
4 


JOSUVA  MARSSBir; 


129 


SPIRITUAL  OOOD   or  Tit  IKDU!!*  HOT  REOAKOSD. 


icceite^fta  amitfai  tt^tend  fnr  titis  pQrpese,  "do  not.  tike 
some  ptAaa  'Witli  tbeie  mivenble  fugitives*  A&itlifiil 
thiasionarf  ifho"  would  go  ttid  Uiw  tmoog  tbesi,  as  Elliot 
8tkl  Braioerd,  oiigitt;  no  doulvt  hnD§  a  -goodlj  number  of 
thietf  to  the  Imowledge'of  tlie  ttutli.  And  if  thejr  weif 
^hHlized,  go^rament  would  give  ^ni  land  to  cultirate ; 
gB  th^re  are  more  than  direeii^lionB  of  acres  of  angranted 
IftOii  in  the  country.  J^t,  idas !  lew  are  wffii^  to  pursue 
sbheme^  tltat  have  notbiog  to  recombend  them  but  pure 
benevolence  i:Dd  saered  pbilan^ropy^  ,4. 

'  Animnnalsum  U>  a  large  anouot  was  left  by  the  Hooour* 
able  Robert  Boyle,  for  the^  purpose  of  ehristiaaiziqg  Hieie 
savs^f  but  whether  the  benefiwtion  is  appfied  to  tius  or 
sMne  other  purpose,  I  tiave  never  been  able  ta  learou 

A  school  or  college  was  sot  <m  foot  for  them  at  Sussex 
Vale,  «D  the  Keniebaeases  Rivet  j^  but  I  am  not  sensible 
that  any  particular  good  has  been  done  by  it.  $ 

We  love  the  Indians,  so  far  as  they  contribute  to  oar 
\tealth  aad  interest;  we  give  them  brandy  and  mm  for 
their  furs  and  dieir  other  works  of  ingenuity-.#but  when 
their  sonk,  their  unntortal  interests,  are  concerned,  we  ate 
willing  to  be  exBUBed.  ?? 

While  stationed^  at  HaHfiuc,  I  had  an  opportunit|r  ef 
Attending  some  condemned  maleftsctors,  who  were  shot  for 
desertion.  I  visited  thenfrequently,  and  staid  with  them 
all  night  previon8t<rdi^  execution ;  and  I  have  reason  to  be» 
lieve  they  aU  found  paidon  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb« 
The  fear  of  ileadi  was  removed  from  their  minds*  and  tfa^ 
walked  to  the  scaffidd  in  a  kind  of  holy  triumphs  During 
my  stay  in  HalifiuEy  several  were  awakened  and  fouBd 


130 


JKEMOinS  OF    ^ 


PRXACBBM  flHOCLD  STVDT,  XBAD,  AUD  TH1N«  JICCH. 


peace.     The  society  prospered,  the  congregations  jr&e 
laige^  sod  I  was  often  favoured  with  uncommon  liberty. 

I  cannot  omit  a  facetious  little  incident  that  took  place, 
white  in  thu  town.    One  evening  I  was  preachii^  on  the 
(ftead  of  the  gospel,  the  increase  of  religioia  in  the  world, 
and  particularly  the  increase  of   the   Methodists.     An 
honest  Tar,  standing  near  the  door,  called  out,  "  That  is 
nowonder,  for  ill  weeds  grow  fast."     ^,-.«^  t^^  -•Hm-m-^ 
V  I  have  to  regret,  that  while  in  Halifax  I  was  too  much 
led  into  company,  which  left  me  little  time  for  reading, 
study,  or  secret  prayer;  hence  I  sometimes  ventured  mto 
^e  pulpit,  hardly  knowing  what  text  to  take.    In  this  I 
was  greatly  to  blame:  I  ought  to  have  given  myself  tp 
readif^,  to  exhortation,  and  to  doctrine,  that  my  proGtlng 
mig||t  appear  to  lUl.    The  apostles  gave  themselves  to 
prayer  and  the  work  of  the  ministry.    Alas,  what  account 
will  those  ministers  give,  who  saunter  about,  while  away  their 
time,  or  spend  it  in  the  suburbs  of  Terrajdel  Fuego,  puffing 
away  at  the  pipe.    If  all  the  time  were  improved  that  is 
spent  by  some  at  this  negatively  sinful  practice,   they 
might  be    able   preachers,    able  scholars,   and    exten- 
sively useful  men.  Close  reading,  hard  study,  and  fervent 
prayer,  are  the  soul  of  good  preaching.  If  Cicero  and  De> 
mosthenes  spent  weeks  and  months  in  composing  those  ora- 
tions that  have  been  the  winder  of  after)  cig^s ;  if  Timothy 
%as  exhorted  to  study  to  approve  himself  a  workman  that 
needed  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of 
tnitti,  what  are  we  to  think  of  tl^e  public  speakers  who 
spring  from  the  tea-table,  the  chatting  party,  or  the  to- 
tmeco  pipe,  into  the  pulpit,  without  previous  preparation, 
and  solemn  prayer?    Alas,  tbey  are  frequently  obliged  to 


.'.•>!> 


-13" 


JOSHUA  MAR80EN. 


Ill 


OLD  SUBJECTS   OfTEN   FLAT  A.    )  VRUfTUEITiaO. 


preach  fitim  old  texts,  their  subjects  are  trhe,  they  hare 
got  them  by  rote ;  they  excite  no  sensatious  in  their  own 
miods,  and  hence  it  is  imposs&le  they  should  in  their  hear- 
ers. An  <Ad  subject  is  generally  flat:  a  preacher  rarely 
succeeds  well  in  going  the  same  ground  over  again;  Jib 
beaten  track  has  little  pasture  in  it;  those  who  have  heard 
the  sermon  before,  will  yawn  and  go  to  sleep,  and  those 
who  have  not  heard  it,  will  think  the  preacher  a  m%hty 
dull  one.  I  would  advise  every  preacher  to  keep  an  ex- 
act Hst  of  the  texts  he  preaches  from,  the  date,  and  place ; 
this  will  save  him  from  much  confusion)  and  £3^  in  some 
degree,  so  many  texts  in  his  memory.  It  will  abo  enable 
him  to  avoid  the  rock  on  which  I  have  known  some  good 
inea  to  slip^—that  of  preaching  five  or  six  times  in  the 
same  place  from  the  same  text,  verbatitnt  ^  literatim^  et 
punOuaiim,  A  discourse  of  this  kind  is  like  a  tlireadbare 
coat,  or  thrice-to!d  tale :  soitie  degree  of  novelty  is  essen- 
tial to  pleasing,  and  we  shall  seldom  profit  whom  we  do 
not  please ;  but  if  a  preacher  goes  round  preaching  die 
siime  discourse  from  Dan  to  Beersheba,  he  may  meet  aome 
ofliis  former  hearers  at  every  nook,  and  feel  as  one  of  old 
00  auother  occasion,  ^^hast  thou  found  me,  O  my  enemy  ?'* 
In  a  word,  I  would  recommend  to  all  my  junior  brethren 
the  sidvice  of  Doctor  Adam  Clarke,  in  his  most  excellent 
Letters  to  a  Methodist  Preacher — **pray  much,  read  miich, 
write  much,  and  have  always  some  subject  upon  the  al^ 
vil;  on  a  week-day  select  the  texts  you  intend  to  preach 
from  in  the  mornings  and  then  you  will  have  the  whole 
day  before  you."  ^^W^^mf'-f'^im-i  -  ■  ■  ^  • 
'  'My  station  was  now  for  a  little  while  at  Annapolfa, 
where  we  have  a  lively  little  society  in  a  pleasant  country. 


*ir 


MEMOIRS   OF 


# 


MB.  ABKAHAH  BISHOF  A  OOOD  MAIT. 


Vimg  VBiy  shrat  stay  hew,  "we  had  most  refreshiog  times. 
AfeTGramille  chapel  several  were  aivakeoed  and  found 
peace.  Tlie  societ;^  was  retired,  and  the  meetiogs  were 
crowded.  Sometimes  at  the  Waldeck  settlement  (r  colony 
41  the  Dutch  and  Germans  on  Annapolis  hason)  we  bad 
the  power  of  Ciod  present  in  a  most  glorious  and  vital  man. 
ner;and  religion  pro^qpered  throughout  the  circuit  from 
Wilmot  mounta^  to  Digby.  In  the  fall  of  the  year,  beiog 
appointed  for  the  city  of  St.  John,  after  many  tears  and  af* 
fectionate  farewells,  I  left  my  dear  Annapolis  friends,  and 
sailed  across  the  Bay  of  Fundy  for  St  John,  where,  during 
the  winter  I  laboured  in  tb^  city  and  along  the  banks  of 
the  river,  with  various  success.       rv?..  ■     -L>     <    > 

Methodism  wat  first  planted  in  St.  •John  by  that  holy 
and  ttsefiil  man  of  God,  aqd  miMiooary,  Mr.  Abraham  John 
Bishop,  from  the  island  of  Jersey :  be  was,  under  God,  the 
chief  instrument  of  the  firsttevival,  both  in  the  city  and  up 
the  river.  Ak'^  his  name  wHl  ever  be  as  music  Sn  the  ears 
of  many^  who  date  their  first  reli^ous  impressions  from  his 
m]nlste):ial  labours.  He  was  truly  a  man  of  God,  and 
feared  neither  the  rich  nmr  powerful,  but  would  lovii^ly 
invite,  a^d  mildly  reprove,  all  who  came  in  his  way^ 
Though  a  man  of  fortune,  he  was  humble  as  a  child,  and 
selMenying  as  a  hermit.  His  rank  in  society  gave  re- 
spect to  his  2^al ;  and  his  loving  sphrit  made  lik  reproofs  an 
excellent  oil  But  he  is  no  more— he  was  early  snatched 
from  the  toils  of  warfare  to  the  triumphs  of  glory.  The 
conference  wanting  a  missionary  who  could  preach  in 
French,  to  visit  the  if  land  of  Grenada,  he  was  sent  upon  a 
mission  to  that  island ;  and  in  those  blooming  regions  of 
perennial  death,  he  paid  the  debt  of  Bdortality,  and  was 


v. 


JOSHUA   UARSDEV. 


1^ 


AProlMTEO  TO  LABOUft  iS  ST.  JOBH,  IT.  B. 


trausinitted  to  glory  by  a  mortal  fever,  ia  the  prune  of  hii 
years,  aud  io  the  midst  of  bis  usefulness.  Holy  shade,  lure- 
well  !  Thy  sainted  spirit  is  at  rest !  Thou  feelest  no  move 
the  bitter  blasts  of  Nova  Scotia,  oor  the  scorcMog  fer. 
TOUTS  of  the  torrid  zone !  Gentle  pastor,  may  my  spiiil 
be  with  thine,  ii^tb^  jr^)pSf(|lti[<ipo6e,  aoA  the  mansioos  ^ 
bliss!  •  ■  ■'  -    '    !■-•■■.  ..     .*" 

On  my  arrival  at  St.  John,  the  fogs  were  so  se* 
vere,  that  I  did  not  know  but  I  should  have  to  leave  the 
place.  However,  my  tuogs  became  familiar  with  thei^ 
and  I  continued^  at  my  appomtment.  ^^^,  ^^ 


I'or  Jesu's  love  can  every  f  lace  begaile. 
Make  the  rocks  bloom,  and  dreary  deserta  amile : 
Nor  Fundy'B  foga,  oor  Scotia's  soows'  t  dread, 
Nor  tropic  sun's  fierce  blazing  o'er  my  head :  ^  i^,-(|V 
Tf  he  be  present,  Eden's  in  my  soul,  '    .     ' 

Whatever  dues  preidde,  or  seasons  ndL         '  -^-'r" 


% 


,1^ 


This  year«  my  labours,  if  not  remarkably  successful, 
Trere  refreshing  to  myself,  and  profitable  to  the  p^ple. 
Our  little  chapel  was  often  crowded,  and  my  soul  was 
quickened.  I  went,  in  the  winter,  up  the  river  St  J<^n, 
and  preathed  with  Much  profit  at  Sheffield,  Orand  Lake, 
I!4'ash  Walk,  Frederickton,  and  many  otlier  places.  Seve- 
ral were  added  to  the  society.  We  had  many  refreshing 
seasons^  especially  at  Sheffield,  where  there  had  been  a  con- 
siderable revival  under  the  ministry  of  brother  Bennet 
Several  young  persons  had  been  tru^  awakened ;  others 
found  redemption  in  the  blood  of  the  tiaaiib«  and  the  socie- 
ty w  as  much  quickened.  ,^, 

I  would  here  observe,  t^at  travelling  such  a  country  as 

the  river  St.  John,  in  the  depth  of  a  Nova  Scotia  winter, 

is  one  of  those  hardships  of  a  missionary  life,  that  calls 

M  2 


•*ir' 


^Aii--^ -•»:*' 


IH 


MEMOIRS   OV 


'RCCkOSiSED  TBS  SAY  TO  LABOUR  19  SUVA  ICOTU, 


for  00  ordiaary  faith,  patience,  and  fortitude  |  invtsnkg 
an  faimense  river,  lrozen»  perhaps,  two  feet  deep— tflcouo- 
tering  dismal  sppw-storois-^reiKlered  aliuoft  torpid  by  § 
bleak  north-west  wind--sleeping  frequeatly  io  log  liouieg, 
with  but  indifferent  accommodations,  are  triali,  for  whkh 
a  preacher,  stiUloned  pn  the  river  St  Jobo,  imut  prepare 
himself.  7 

In  March  I  returned  to  the  city,  where  I  cofitimied  la* 
bouriog,  with  various  success,^till  the  month  of  Majr,  1803, 
when  I  crossed  the  Bay  of  Fundy,]  to  visit  Oflce  ffiore  the 
shores  of  Nova  Scotia.    This  year,  our  little  coDfereace 
-was  at  Windsor,  at  wh'icK  I  was  appohited  for  Liverpool 
circuit.    I  soon  found  inyself  at  home  amoi^  tbfi  frleod* 
ly,  civil,  and  respectable  people;  and  resolved,  through 
divine  grace,  to  devote  myself  ahiew  to  my  ntiter^f  fff' 
vice.    I  resumed  my  four  o'clock  rising,  and  M  I  thought 
it  would  iurtliet  my  studies,  and  aasist  my  foul  Io  her  war- 
fare witli  corrupt  nautre,  I  abstained  altogeth  w  from  aaU 
mal  food,  a  practice  which  I  cou]|d  not  eootlBUO  long,  be* 
cause  it  brought  on  a  painful  diarrhcsa*    Tef,  in  •  ipiritital 
sense,  the-benefits  of  H  ^^'^  apparent.    lu  golsg  thii  cir* 
cuit,  I^had,  occasionsdly,.  to  pleach  at  Port  MuttoUf  Fort 
Jolly,  Portle  Bare,  and  sevenU  other  wnftll  plicef,  oo  the 
eastern  shores  of  tlie  Atlantic*    But  the  blOMlag  of  Ood  is 
not  confined.    I  have  \^^d  betteir  seaiOQf  ia  a  (iibemuiti^t 
hut,  tha^  i^rhaps  some  splew^d  mhiiite»  ia  a  ipaeioui 
temple.    J^yr  true  is  tlia$  wj^rd,  Qfiditno  ntptcUr  (f 
persons. 


W^T»-JV    rii^ff,  ft. 


•  jmi'^  Btttrkh  or  poor  the  Saviour*!  love  msf  tamw, 

So  iri({e  the  streavs  of  blood-bou|ht  •Mivyfwr. 
The  polMini  cOurtKr,  or  the  ploddins  eiC  t 


ki 


''1^' 


JOSHUA  MAnsOKM. 


IZ^ 


TlBlTinO  THE  rOOa  PKOriTAILC. 


;r»-«- 


-1v^ 


V.';j . 


The  fiiMrt  dune ;  |M>e  ■ixnpleat  hetrted  pafe^ 
The  mewieat  nHtie.  or  the  deepeat  Hge : 
Whether  ia  eity  bora,  or  Tillage  bred ; 
Whether  in  robes  of  silk  or  wool  arrayed; 
Nanatter ;  eaeh  the  bleasiag  ony  po—w» 
For  *3i  are  equa!  in  the  realna  of  grace' 
The  Lamb expir'd,  and  bled  far  oTery  soul, 
Fron  tlie  world's  girdle  to  each  starry  pole. 
Ota  every  side,  the  New  Jerosalem, 
Bright  giteaeC  Uias,  withpeuiy  beauty 
Redeeming  love  is  full,  ia  free  for  all, 
Who  fe«l  their  oeed»  andAjr  at  oNrcy'a  call. 


Frequeati7,  in  pastoral  visitiiig,  and  visitiog  the  gidk» 
tlie  poorer  add  more  iadigent  the  penuHis,  the  sweeter  and 
more  refreshing  has  been  the  Tisit.  It  is  in  the  al)odes  of 
poverty  that  we  meet  smiling  content,  and  patient  res%nation» 
low  circumstances,  with  esaTted  hopes;  misery  on  a  couch, 
"justifying  the  ways  of  God  with  men;**  true  gratitude 
for  barley-bread  and  simple  water;  simple-hearted  pray- 
er, eupplicatV^  for  more  grace  and  thankfulness;  noble  ge- 
oerosity,  thf  starving  wife  giving  the  last  morsel  to  her  chil- 
dren ;  the  affectionate  husband^  deeply  distressed,  but 
comforting  hb  wife,  and  blessing  his  faniily. 


viii^ 


^Mi& 


^,  ^    Thesaare  thy  own,  sweet  poverty;  and  thesa 
,  I'  f^  Make  thy  mean  fare  and  little  cottage  please : 
r*^  #i\^Hh  Biijch  a  train,  thy  lot  is  nobler  fhr 
,  ^.  ,.Than  his,  wlio  wears  a  coronet  and  star, 
il'^^  Awt'tiiough  the  high-born  rich  may  tread  thee  dowa ; 
.^e  gay  despise  thee*  and  the  proud  disown ; 
Though  airy  vanity's  fantastic  train, 
tpA  u;;-'^°d  poop  *B41'Mtttyebillthee  with  disdain, 

T  There  is  a  Friend,  above  yon  starry  skies, 
V^f  '4v,vf^  Who  coiiati  tfa)r  tean,  whalisteas  t»^  sighs. 
Suffiar  awhile,  if  so  His  will  ordairi,     j 
Wha  grafts  Itis  blessings  on  the  stock  0f  pain. 
.     ^   Awl  when  thy  wpet  are  buriedin  the  tomb.     ».     ^ 
•f  f  V*  '  •  jTrom  every  tear,  a  lovely  joy  shall  bloom ;        ■    ^"^ 
|i,^,j^.^,XiU8tres,  ia  thy  iouaortal  coronet, 

'    Of  glittering  gems  by  sweet  affli^n  set. 


■x^-Ai  ;.'ii  s!Wi»iKni  ■*, 


'..a^j^* 


■ii' 


■i\  >:. 


Bunog  Diy  stay  ia  liivexpool,  the  soeioty  was  built  np ; 
mgny  were  quickened,  and  a  few  were  added  to  the 


/^9p**"  I 


136 


AlKAIOIRS  OS 


:1V-  -1- 


BODILT  EXCRCISB  PROFITTETH   LITTLI  IM  KKLIOtOH. 


church.    Some  are  apl  to  think  oo  good  is  done  uokasall 
are  00  fire  with  a  wonderful  reviral — but  this  is  a  mistake. 
The  work  of  divioe  grace  may  progress  with  as  much  si. 
lence  as  the  dew  falls  upoo  the  ground,  and  as  impercepti- 
bly as  the  grass  grows  So  the  sprliig.    It  is  not  clapping  of 
hands-— not  shouting— not  stamping  with  the  heels;  nor 
anj  other  bodily  exercise,  that  indicate  a  growth  of  grace. 
There  may  be  much  smoke,   where  there  is  little  fire. 
There  was  more  shouting  and  chipping  around  Aaron's  calf, 
than  when  God  himself  came  down  upon  Mount  Sinai 
The  power  and  presence  of  God  fill  the  soul  with  a  so- 
lemn  and  majestic  awe.  The  soul  desires  to  be  alone,  that  it 
may  pour  out  its  supplications  to  the  Father  of  spirits.  God 
forbid,  that  I  should  tpuch  the  sacred  ark  of  pure,  enliv- 
ened  piety,  with  the  least  finger  of  opposition;  but,  as  an 
luimble  inquirer  after  divine  truth,  I  would  ask,    does 
clapping  with  the  hands,  and  stamping  with  the  feet,  in- 
crease in  the  soul,  loye,  humility,  faith,  gratitude,  meek, 
oess,  chastity,    and  heavenly-mindedness  ?     Is  clappii^ 
the  hands  as  trtie  and  genuine  an  expression  of  gratitude, 
as  a  tender  and  lively  sensibility  of  heart  ?    Have  we  any 
canon  in  the  New  Testament  by  which  clapping  is  re- 
quired  ?  Are  they  the  old,  steady,  experiences^  followers 
of  Christ  who  clap  hands  ?    Are  those  who  dap  loudest 
the  most  holy,  meiek,  humble,  diligent,  and  devoted  mem- 
bers of  our  society  ?   May  not  the  purest  and  most  lively 
piety  exist,  where  there  is  no  disposition  to  clap?    Is  not 
clapping  sometimes  used,  and  screaming  too^  when  there 
is  no  extraordinary  influence  present  ?    I  should  be  deep- 
ly sorry,  that  any  one  should  suppose  the  Methodists  eon- 
fine   religion  to  ihese  thiags,  or  €v«b  think  them   at 


JOSHUA  MAilSDEN. 


13t 


WHAT  FOBMS  THE  PUTT  or  A  TKVB  MXTB0D18T. 


all  necessarj'  to  the  existence  of  devotioo.  No !  They 
believe  religion  is  the  kiogdom  of  God  within  us ;  **  Righ- 
teousnew,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  fl*'*^  Ghost.'*  The  spirit 
of  (Mrayer — the  iphrit  of  feith— the  i^irit  of  love — ^the  sj^iit 
of  holiness,  form  ihe  grand  materials  of  a  Methodist's  re- 
ligion. It  is  net,  lo !  here  is  Chirst !  or,  io !  there  is  Chirst  ^ 
But  Christ  in^you  the  hope  of  glory  ;  the  Kkig  of  righ- 
teousness, and  the  fountain  of  universal  piety.  I  have 
been  present  at  revivals  of  religion ;  I  have  beheld  the 
stately  strings  of  Jehovah  in  his  sanctuary;  I  have 
known  his  influence  descend  as  the  former  and  the  latter 
rain;  I  have  heard  the  cries  of  the  mourner  blended  with 
the  rejoicing  of  the  redeemed  $  but  on  these  occasions  { 
recollect  neither  clapping  nor  stamping — and  yet  there 
are  Boroe,  who  thinly  that  rellgioa  ia  at  a  stand  if  these 
thhigi  are  discoothiued.  But*  can  we  see  into  the  beUey- 
er*s  heart  ?  Can  we  discover  hia  inwaid  exercises?  C^ 
we  tell  how  often^e  may  be  watered,  animated,  and  com- 
forted ?  We  should  not  conclude,  there  is  no  good  done  un- 
less thei»  l^e  a  great  noise.  We  know,  that  the  deepest 
rivers  glide  silently  siong.  It  is  only  the  shallow  that 
make  the  mo^  bubble  and  bruit  Is  it  not  doing  good  to 
iastruct  chriutians  in  the  duties  of  religion?  Is  it  not 
doing  good  to  build  up  those  who  are  already  built  upon 
Christ?  Is  it  not  doing  good  to  c<NDifinn  the  wavering; 
water  the  thirsty ;  revive  the  weary ;  comfort  the  mour- 
ner; and  illustrate  and  enforce  the  great  and  comforting 
doctrines  of  religion,  morality,  and  Providence  ?  It  iS) 
indeed,  a  blessed  and  delightful  sight,  to  see  careless  souls 
alarmed  to  a  just  and  lively  concern  for  their  immortal  in- 
terest—humble peiuteats  rejoicing  with  joy  unspeakable, 


138 


:v 


nidroiRS  of 


:ifj 


SAIIiBD  VIOJI  tITEKrOOL— BLOWN  Ofr  TBt  COAST. 


and  zealous   belieVen  taking  the  kingdom   with  hdfj 
violence.    But,  because  the  residue  of  the  Spirit  is  Iq 
Ood's  handff,  and  he  does  not,  tor  wise  aad  inexplicable 
reasons,  always  pour  it  out^  are  we  to  despise  the  drop, 
pings  of  the  sanctuar^r,  or  neglect  the  common  order  of 
things?      We  may'  have  one  consolation  left  amidst  the 
want  of  extraordinary  revivals.    We  may,  ourselves,  ma- 
less  we  are  sadly  wanting  in  faith  and  fervency ;  we  may 
enjoy  the  richest  consolations  of  his  Spirit.    For  though 
God  does  not,  at  all  times,  break  up  the  fountains  of  the 
great  deq>,  and  overflow  the  world  with  a  deluge  of  righ« 
teousness ;  yet  he  is  still,  to  his  faithful  people,  /an  open 
Ibuntaiu,  a  well  of  salvation,  and  a  brook  by  the  way. 
side.    If  the  ihoral  World  is  dfefAived  of  rain  for  the  space 
of  thiee  years,  yet  he  will  itill  be  as  the  dew  to  Israel. 
II  He  shall  grow  as  the  Hlyi  and  east  forth   his   roots 
'as  Lebanon.    His  branches  shall  sfHread,  and  lib  beauty 
shall  be  as  the  olivctree,  and  bis  smell  as  Lebanon.*^  >  <h  ^ 
In  the  spring,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Black,  I  went  ^ 
supply  his  place  In  Halifax,  while  he  attended  the  Balti- 
more conference.     I  sailed  for  Halifax  in  the  brig  Rover, 
(she  had  been  a  Livei^ool  privftteer)  and  the  same  day, 
the  10th  of  April,  when  we  were  within  sight  of  Sambro 
light-house,  a  gale  of  wind  set  in  from  the  north^eait^  and 
blew  us  out  to  sea.      Our  situation  was  most  critical— we 
bad  not  a  single  candle  for  the  binnacle,  and  no  provisions 
on  board ;  our  men  were  landstnen,  hired  to  carry  the 
vessel  round  to  Halifax,  there  to  be  refitted.    The  captain 
was  under  much  concern,  lest  we  should  be  kept  oj^t  at 
sea,  or  be  obliged  to  bear  away  for  the  West^Iodies.    Id 
this  extremity  I  had  recourse  to  my  bible ;  (I  am,  no  advo- 


JOiiMI/A  MAR»D£M. 


139 


aCMAKBAIbC  ANHWIRI  TO  9HAfM». 

IJiia— — BW     .IMIPl 


cate  for  biblkMBiDcy*)  hut  (b*  flnt  ehipt«r  1  turoeAto 
was  DftTid's  deicripUoo  of  •  ftorm,  ia  the  107th  psalm ;  in 
whkh  9ie  thope  words,  «*  Then  thejr  ctj  uoto  the  Lord 
io  their  trouble,  ukI  be  briogeth  them  out  of  their  dis- 
tresses, le  maketh  the  itonii  •  calnit  m  that  the  waves 
thereof  are  still— then  tbej  are  glad,  because  they  are 
quiet;  so  he  briogeth  them  into  the  desbred  hareo.**  Od 
this  passage  my  hope  retted.  I  veaiooed  thus :— Is  uot 
Opd  the  same  as  heretofore  ?  Hm  he  not  all  power  in 
earth  and  heaven  ?  Do  not  the  prayen  of  his  people  still 
come  up  before  his  throoe  ?  Do  not  the  winds  and  the 
waves  ob^yhiQi?  1  felt  latiified  God  would  deliver. 
The  wind  lulled— a  calm  emwied— the  breeze  sprung  up 
fair-~aod  though  then  off  Cape  le  Have,  to  the  westward 
of  Liverpool,  we  got  into  Halifax  the  same  ufght.  O 
that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  bia  goodness,  and 
magnify  his  holy  name  I  I  know,  that  Deists  and  Infi- 
dels will  call  this  aupentitkm,  madneii)  lolly,  to  suppose 
that  the  great  God  would  anreit  the  course  of  the  elements 
at  the  request  of  a  poor  worm  t  But  ihall  we,  in  compli- 
ment to  infidels,  or  infidel  poets,  deny  a  particular  Provi- 
dence; overlook  the  mercy  of  God,  and  say,  Jehovah  is 
an  idle  spectator  of  bis  people^iwoet?  Perish  the  page 
of  mine,  that  would  make  an  umrlgbteoui  composition  with 
such  men,  merely  to  avoid  the  old)  ttale,  unmeaning  cry  of 
enthusiasm,  or  superstition.  If  we  might  give  up  religion 
to  the  different  enemies  of  cbHitianlty,  the  mere  moralist 
would  fritter  away  the  new  birth  into  I  know  not  what; 

*  Bibliomanef  iadippinf  in  tiw  MMi.  md  nuking  (liS  itttfl  of  our  mindi  ie- 
f»A  upoo  U7  ftceidental  text  thtt  emsM  flnt  to  iitnd.  for  th«  abiuet  to  miiilh 
this  fnctke  leftda,  see  Doctor  Adtm  CiariMti  Lfttar  to  «  rriMher. 


iml^ 


140 


•^'^iMoiRS  OS 


KBASON*  rO%  MAKIUOE 


of  Water  baptism,  and  regularity  of  life ;  the  daring  Socio. 
fan  wonkl  rob  the  Redeemer  of  his  Godhead,  and  glory 
in  the  sacrilege ;  the  rational  philosopher  would  deprive 
religion  of  its  spiritual  and  sublime  mysteries;  the  Pha« 
risee  would  tear  the  richest  jewels  of  grace  from  thecrowa 
of  ri^iteousness ;  and  the  Antinoinian  would  rob  religion 
of  morality  and  hoIineM ;  the  enthustost  would  divest  it  of 
reason;  the  frozen>hearted  formalist  of  vitality  and  fire, 
and  the  latitudinarian  of  slarictness  and  severity;  bigots 
would  strip  it  of  candour,  and  popes  of  simplicity.  Thus 
religion  would  fare  like  the  beautiful  statue  le^  by  the 
sculptor  for  inspection  in  the  market-place,  every  beauty 
would  be  erased,  till  the  whole  were  one  blot. 

My  friends  in  Halifax  received  me  gladly,  and  I  la. 
toured  among  them  till  the  latter  end  of  summer ;  when 
brother  Black,  returning  from  Baltimore,  I  was  by  him 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  SealHiry.  This  was  a 
union  of  much  prayer  and  deliberation.  My  reasons  for 
Ais  stqp  were  the  following :  1  st.  Mutual  attachment  and 
friendship.  2.  Union  of  religious  sentiment.  **  How  Aall 
two  wallb  together  unless  they  are  i^reed."  3.  A  de* 
sire  to  be  delivered  from  temptation,  and  an  inward  con. 
viction  in  my  mfod,  that  I  could  be  more  holy,  useful,  and 
bappy  in  a  married  than  single  state.  4.  I  thought  a 
pious  partner  would  not  only  help  me,  but  the  church  of 
God.  My  wife,  though  young,  had  been  in  the  society 
five  years.  She  was  brought  up  in  the  fear  of  God.  Her 
mother  had  been  a  Icmg  time  a  devoted  follower  of  the  Lord. 
5.  A  coincidence  of  Providence,  the  particulars  of  w|)iG|i 
^ould  require  too  great  minuteness  of  detail,  as,  though 
interesting  (o  myself,  they  might  be  flat  and  tedious  to 


J08HVA   MAmBDBN. 


141 


^»==«5^=^ 


J.i^ 


MAtllED  STATE  TgB  aCIIT. 


Others.  After  nine  years  experience  of  a  married  lifet  I 
am  still  firmly  of  opinion,  it  is  the  most  excellent,  the 
most  eligible,  and  the  most  happy  condition.  My  wife 
has  had  six  children;  she  has  travelled  with  me,  by  sea 
and  land,  several  thousand  miles.  We  have  had  serious 
difficulties  to  encounter;  many  afflictions  to  bear,  and  some 
hardships.  We  have  lost  three  children,  (if  sending  them 
lo  heaven  can  be  called  so;)  we  buried  a  sweet  child,  our 
oldest  daughter,  in  the  city  Saint  John,  J^^ew-Brunswick; 
we  laid  a  little  boy  in  the  earth  at  Bermuda ;  and  we  have 
another  sleeping  in  the  vault  of  the  Bowery-church,  in 
New  York.  But,  with  all  the  difficulties,  afflictions,  and 
trials  we  have  had  to  bear,  we  would  not  be  willing  to  take 
Alexander's  sword,  nor  yet  any  other,  and  cut  the  gordiao 
knot  that  has  bound  us  together.    O  ur  language  is,      '  , 

Mi  W'l.:  ^v  - 1.   '  Tegttbw  M U8  tir««Uy  Mt»,  ,%  ^^^mn.  ^'v,r^;  '-^ 

'      j.W«»aik'      '     Togetker  let  us  die :  _ 

g-!ft#M»lw'  And  each  a  Starry  crown  receive,  ""  -  "''W 


Toi^ber  M  U8  tweeUy  Ute, 
Together  let  us  die : 
And  each  a  starry  crown  receive, 
And  reign  abc^ve  |^e  iky^ 

We  staid  two  days  after  our  marrfage  in  Halifax,  and 
then  embarked  for  Saint  John,  where  we  arrived  after  a 
pleasant  passage  of  five  days.  I  now  received  the  follow- 
iog  letter  from  the  mbsioo  committee  in  London,  to  which, 
as  it  casts  light  on  some  further  particulars  of  my  mission, 
I  shall  subjoin  my  answer :  *  *    '  '^nt<^-^  «/  *-  -^• 


■♦y-  n: 


yim^'^-Mi^^ 


mM^'  ^>' 


s^-^'^ 


CIRCULAR  LETTER    TO   THE   METHODIST  MISSIONARIES. 


'■i*tUi 


M-'. 


NenhChapel,  City  Roadf  London,  lOth  Feb,  1804 

DEAR  BROTHER,  ^^.         1     ;.    , 

Sijice  Uie  dep^vpre  of  our  esieeined  Friend  and  Bro-^ 


M 


MMMOISS'  OV 


:J-ia.1 


■.r»^  ■■- "L-; jtr 


niTMTCD  tn  fOME  DtTVICULTIBS. 


th«r  Dr.  Coke»  for  Americti  we  li|ir*  been  nmch  cootent^ 
ed  for  the  prosperity  of  tbe  Methodiit  MMoos*  Beettog 
flieir  jsreat  itDportance,  as  they  respect  the  etentl  ioteresti 
of  maokind,  aod  the  general  ipcreaae  of  our^  Bedeemer^a 
kingdom,  we  have  been  very  desirous  of  placing  them  upon 
some  regular  establishitietit,  so  that  u^adef  the  <^tSire  bless- 
ing, we  might  reasonably  expect  a  continuance  of  their 
success. 

The  Doctor  left  Mr.  Benson  la  chaige  cf  tbe  Missions 
generally,  and  Mr.  Whitfield  was  intrusted  with  their  pe- 
cuniary concerns ;  biit  Mr.  Benson  having,  by  the  desire  of 
the  Conference,  taken  upon  himself  the  management  of  the 
Magazine,  and  being  otherwise  greatly  engaged  in  the  af- 
fairs of  the  Connexion  at  laige,  he  found  himself  quite 
unable  Co  devote  so  much  time  and  attention  to  the  Mis- 
sions as  they  required.  And  Mr.  Whitfield  having  had  a 
dangeroua  illness,  which  rendered  him  totally  incapable  of 
business,  and  uo  provision  having  been  made  to  pay  the 
Bills  wbich'had  been  drawn,  and  were  coming  due,  or  to 
answer  the  various  demands  upon  him  on  account  of  the 
Missions,  it  became  a  matter  of  absolute  necessity  t,o  call 
in  the  aid  of  the  Travelling  Preachers  in  the  London  Cir- 
cuit, and  of  some  of  our  principal  private  Friends,  to  con- 
sider of  the  best  means  to  be  adopted  to  support  the  cause 
of  tlie  Missions,  and  the  Credit  of  the  Methodist  Con- 
nexion. 

,  It  was  determined  in  the  present  distress,  to  appoint  a 
Committee  for  the  management  of  the  Mission  Affairs  till 
the  next  Conference,  this  Committee  to  consist  of  ;^ll  the 
travelling  Preachers  in  the  liOodon  Circuit,  together  with 
those  Friends  who  compose  the  Committee  appointed  at 


TYK 


JOSHUA  MARSIMBN. 


143 


3i9= 


sata 


LETTCm  rtOM  TIC    MI8EIOH  COMMITTEE. 


the  iMt  Conference  for  j|ii«rdiqi;  «iir  privileges,  as  stated  in 
page  30  of  the  pitted  Mialitesi  and  also  of  a  few  other 
Frkuids  wlioM  assiBtanoe  might  be  usefiik  The  Cootmiittee 
Aenloieto  eowiil^of  the  followifig  PenoBB,  viz. 

v^  J(P^H;B»»80H,   .         Oeob©e  Wolff, 

Joseph  Tatlob,  Christopher  Sundius, 

Thomas  Rutherford,  William  Marriott, 


]^BNJA|t[IN  B.HOI»S, 

William  JMtYLEs, 
Jabez  Bunting, 
^Oeoroe  Whitfield, 
William  Jbrram, 


Robert  MiooLETON, 
Joseph  Bulmer, 
liUKE  Haslope, 
ItHOMAs  Allan, 
Joseph  Butterworth. 


The  coBimittee  chose  from  the  above  the  followiog  oflji- 

*  Joseph  Benson,  Prwidbil.  *- 

William  Marriott,  Treasurer. 
Joseph  Butterworth,  Secretary. 


m. 


I  ■:^ii  #t:4- 


The '^Grst  act  of  the  committee,  was  to  lend  betweea 
three  and  four  hundred  pouAds,  io  order  to  honour  the  hills 
vrhich  had  been  drawn  Upon  Dr.  Coke  and  Mr.  Whitfield, 
OD  account  of  the  missions. 

In  order  to  refund  the  above  sum,  ^nd  to  provide  for 
further  demands,  a  circular  letter  was  sent  to  the  various 
circuits,  desiring,  that  collections  should  be  immediately 
made  in  our  chapels  throughout  Great-Britain.  This  pro' 
duced  an  enlaiged  correspondence  on  this  subject,  and  it 
vag  found  to  be  the  general  desire  of  the  people,  to  have 
some  accounts  of  the  missions  regularly  pufoli^ied,  with  a 


'4 


144 


"'^^EHOIBS   0»"*^ 


UISBIONARIKB  RZaUIIlED  TO  KEEP  A  JOtRItAL. 


fiiH  detail  of  the  receipts  and  expend itures.  The  commit- 
tee feel  Tery  desirous  to  comply  with  tBc  wishes  of  the 
Dumerous  subscribers,  and  to  render  every  satisfecfion  in 
their  power.  They  would  be  glad  to  engage  the  public 
more  generally  in  this  blessed  work,  by  giving  all  pfossible 
bformation;  and  that  they  may  be  enabled,  from  time  to 
time,  to  publish  interesting  accounts  of  the  missions,  they 
would  most  earnestly  recommend  each  missionary,  from 
the  receipt  of  this  letter,  to  keep  a  regular  journiil  of  his 
proceedings,  and  all  particulars  of  his  mission,  together 
with  accounts  of  all  remarkable  conversions,  with  the  ex- 
perience and  death  of  any  individuals,  from  which  ex- 
tracts might  be  made  for  publication,  and  to  transmit  this 
journal,  or  the  heads  thereof,  at  least  twice  a  year  to  the 
committee,  or  till  the  conference  give  other  directionsi,  ^^* 
"^^  It  may  here  be  observed,  that  when  several  missionaries 
are  stationed  in  the  same  colony,  they  might  possibly 
think  it  needless  for  all  of  them  to  write  home ;  but  the 
committee  would,  however,  wish  to  receive  accounts  from 
«twh,  as  by  comparing  their  several  journals  together,  a 
more  comprehensive  view  might  be  taken  of  the  whble, 
than  could  be  formed  by  any  single  account,  which  might 
perhaps  omit  many  interesting  particulars.  I 

^*  The  superintendent  missionaries  will  be  pleased  to  draw 
their  bills  on  Mr.  George  Whitfield,  Kew  Chapel,  City 
Road,  London,  till  further  direction ;  but  at  the  same  time, 
send  advice  thereof,  with  the  particular  appropriation  of 
the  money,  to  the  secretary  above-mentioned.  And  it  is 
particularly  requested,  that  the  missionaries  will  most  ex- 
actly comply  with  the  conference  minutes  of  the  year  1800, 


JOSHUA  HARBIUBN. 


145  f 


■^: 


REaUIRKD  TO  APPOIHT  BTSWARDS  TO   IIirANT  80CJITIES. 

—     I      I  •!  III..  i         'i ■         ii'  .       .1.'    I'm.     Ii  I     II      i.    I     i  II     llUlil' 

io  order  ths^  the  committee  m%f  sender  a  satisfactory  accouoi 
ta  the  subscribers  at  large  of  the  expenditure  of  the;  money .*'^ 

Vpoa  ihiB  occaiiioii,  it.may  not  be  amiss  to  drcj^a  bii4  to 
«ttr  missionaries,  upon  the  Hnportanee  of  an  exact  ofaser* 
yaoce  of  the  Methodist  dkcipline^  which  has  been  formed 
tEsder  the  immediate  direction  of  Divine  Providence,  and< 
altogether  niited  tot  the  state  of  christian  society.  A  due- 
observance  of  the  life  and  conversation  of  private  mem- 
bers^  and  a  full  determination  to  hold  no  communion  with  > 
those  that  walk  disorderly,  let  their  situation  or  circum* 
dances  be  what  they  may,  will  have  a  great  tendency  to 
promote  vital  godliness,  and  to  render  our  societies  a  s»« 
four  of  life  unto  life. 

Wherever  a  sockty  is  formed,  it  is  of  great  importaocet 
that  stewai  J  vi  uld  be  chosen  to  conduct  the  temporal  af-' 
fairs,  and  1  !^  appointed  to  the  classes:  this  prevents! 
reproach  from  falHi^  on  the  ministry,  and  is  of  essential 
service  in  many  respects.  Individuals  become  more  con- 
cerned for  the  elfare  of  the  society  when  they  feel  a»  per« 
sonal  inteirest  therein ;  and  when  dfic^rs  are  chosen  in  ih$ 
church  of  Christ  iVom  among,  the  people,  it  mutually) 
strengtheiK  the  common  bond  of  union  between  them  and 


t 


*  The  conference  adopted  the  following  rules  respecting  the  missions : 

"  I.  The  svperiqteDdents  shall  be  responsible  to  the  Bnglish  confereaee,  ani 
to  their  agent,  the  Reverend  Ooctbr  Coke. 

"  II.  The  superiatendentf  shall  keep  exact  accounts  of  all  monies  received 
by  'ihem  on  account  or  the  missions,  and  of  all  disbursements  of  that  money* 
and  transmit!  those  aedounts  annually  to  Dr.  Coke,  or  in  his  abseoee,  to  the  Loq* 
don  BUBeriotoadent.  to  b«  laid  ber^  the  conference. 

"  III.  That  the  collections  mid  disbursements  at  large,  shall  be  annually  laid 
before  the  conference,  or^fore^n  committee  appointed  by  the  conference;  thalt 
ttiey  also  shall  be  traq^crlbcd  into  Uie.  ledger,  and  published  as  the  conference 
shall  appointi"  Conf.  JIfiii.  '^800,  page  ST. 

N.  B.  The  London  committee  reeonniMnd  to  all  th«  missionaries,  an  attentivt 
perusal  of  t^e  conferen«e  minutee  for  the  fear  1800,  on  the  suljedt  of  tke  mis. 
eioas. 

N  2 


-  ^^^\ 


&^-- 


I- 


ii];moir8  o» 


MISBlOHAEItS  fttttCIM  OBCAT  SXB«TIORS. 


the  preachers.  It  it  espedallj  neceesaiy  to  have  leaders 
and  stewards,  where  there  is  a  probability  of  anj  chaoge 
of  preachers,  in  order  that  when  fresh  preacher  cometo 
the  place,  they  may  have  some  persons  to  w;lioin  they,  can 
appl;^  'j*r  needful  assistance  on  their  arrival;  and  also  U^t 
there  may  be  resident  overseers,  who  will  endeavouf  to 
keep  the  fleck  together  in  the  absenoe  of-  their  pastors... 

Without  the  united  exertions  of  the  missionsunes  (^liroad 
and  of  the  friends  at  home,  it  should  seem  that  this  ijoopor- 
taot  work  must  £bJI  to  the  ground ;  but  after  the  peculiar 
blessing  and  glorious  sucrA»s  which  have  hitherto  accQin. 
panied  these  missions,  we  feel  most  deeply  concerned  to 
go  on  hand  in  hand  in  buil^g  up  the  walls  of  our  Jem. 
sfdein,  and  after  using:  evexy  lawful  means,  we  r^fer  all  to 
the  great  Head  of  the  churchi  who  uses^Jiiihat^iiptni^e&t;. 
he  pieases  to  execute  his  own  designs*      ^  - 

We  beg  you  to  address  all  communications  intended  for 
the  committee,  to  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Joseph  Butter< 
WORTH,  No.  43  Fleet-street,  London.  Requesting  to  hear 
frequently  of  your  proceedings  in  order  to  stimulate  our 
exertions  and  pfrayers  in  your  behalf  we  qow  commend 
you  to  God,  even  our  Father,  who  shall  supply  all  year 
need  according  to  his  riches  in  glory,  by  Christ  Jesus.,  3 


i;^y  v'.'Jwf'i'W,'*:-'*:*?'.**';?; 


,We  are 


-v't- 


^^ 


•/%'.?f'Mfi 


fW--v»'*r  ^I-^^f. 


.'*.f'ii>, ''•:*■  4J 


Tour  very  aflectionate  bretfareiv 
.Joseph  Bi^son, 
Joseph  Tatlor, 
Thomas  Rvthbrford, 
Benjamin  Rhodes,    J^f 
■:l^r         ^^''*-^^*^' William  Mtles,      ^^i- 
^^-%3i,^<Mi^m'-'  Jabez  Buntino, 

"W'-       "   '^'"    •   ■•>  CIeORGE  WHITFlltH. 


J  OBffU Jl  HAMDEK. 


m 


rOSTSCKIPT  IT  JMSrH  BOTTEKWOftTB,  Ud 


rj^im'-hS'^mitifi"^'. 


{POBVSGKIFT.) 


:      Londony24th  Mardty  1ft04. 

DSABi  SIR,  4Ml'i:-S^i,'  •.'.■  ■rSi,'? 

A^r;  It  ii  the  sincere  mA  earnest  desiie  of  friendg  at  home  to 
liear  firooi  7011,  and  know  how  you  are  goii%  00 ;  to  be  fa- 
voured with  full  and  free  acoouots  of  ail  your  proeeedings, 
that  ire  may  know  how  to  help' you  id  the  blessed  work'ia 
.  which  you  are  employed.  Pray  favor  us  with  a  pai^cu* 
l«r  answer  to  the  printed  letter^  and  say  whether  we  should 
send  you  some  books  to  distribute,  how  we  should  sefHl^ 
them;  and  which  would  be  most  useful.  . 

Br.  Whitehead  is  dead,  and  Mr.  Bunting  is  married  to 
an  iexcellent  wife  from  Macclesfield. 

We  have  been  in  daily  expectation  of  an  invasion  from 
the  French,  but  we  trust  that  Ood  will  protect  us.  Our 
enemies  have  an  immense  force  collected  on  the  opposite^ 
coast,  200,000  men  and  1200  vessels,  it  is  reported. 

The  connexion  is  at  peace,  and  in  many  places  very 
prosperous/ .     - 

We  trust  that  a  corrc^iondence  with  our  missionaries 
win  be  highly  useful  both  at  home  apd  abroad, 
^'^^ay  favour  us  with  the  geography  and  history  of  the 
country.  We  hope  you  will  keep  a  Journal,  and  transmit 
Bt  all  particulars.  May  the  Lord  prosper  you  abundant- 
^..t^^;.:'  •  ■"■■  yn.-^ji:i,  ?-- 

All  the  preachers  and  the  committee  join  in  kind  lov^ 
with,  Dear  Sii^  :    ..  .^ 

Your  affectionate  friend  and  servant,     ^ 
JOSEPH  BUTTERWORTH*  > 


F:^ 


gt''-^'.  J 


h' 


wr 
Hk 


m' 


.* 


^n  ^fo?..|  .*!*$• 


m^M  #i'  '-n^t 


149 


jvnfouigov 


MT  IilTTB*  TO  DA.  OIMIC, 


•  i  Wl     MM 


Extract  (jf^d  Lam  jrmii  Mr,  Joshua  Mandm,  to  (hi 
Rev.  Dr.  Coke,  ' 

¥oi7B.  kind  letter^  and  that  of  the  MMoMty  Com* 
mHtee- '  re  iifce  oordiala  to  oijr  droopiof  ipirflf*  Ifur* 
tafl  am^'Min  fflj  bMthren  the  picaeherii  mkmM  ky  tMr 
ctfUDseiil  ibroaed  by  their  example*  aod  iaaitueied  ky  (b«tt 
eonversatioDt  judge  whaimy^  feeiiufBB.inuit  have  bteo  wh^ 
eat  off  from  almost  all  iDtercourse  with  theim  iom^tini^i 
I  was  tempted  to  think  oar  brethren  at  hone  htd  (br|Ott^ 
us,  and  that  we  were  left  to  shift  for  ouraelvet  io  •  §ttwa§s 
laud,  where  barren  rocks,  ioterposiog  rivfti^  dieary  woodi^ 
and  almost  inpassabie  roads,  were  the  first  trials  of  our  la* 
faotmioi6tr7l  I  mention  these  things*  that  youflg  bre« 
Ihreni  with  but  little  experience  or  ibrtitude,  may  not  bo 
sent  upon  such  an  arduous  undertaking,  ^ooe  but  vetor« 
ans  of  well'tried  patience,  prudenc£,  piety,  fortitude^  are 
properly  qualified  to  act  as  Missionaries  in  thii  country 

Our  voyage  of  six  weeks  was  stormy  aod  t«inpii;tuottf« 
Nevertlieless,  by  the  blessing  ofGod,  we  could  read,  pray, 
sing  hymns,  and,  every  sabbath*day,  preach  the  word  of 
reconciliation  to  the  seamen  and  pasiengeri.  Once  we 
were  chased  by  a  corv^te  i^vivateer^  which  bore  down  upon 
us,  but  as  we  were  two  in  company,  and  both  well  armedi 
she  thought  fit  to  sheer  off.  Nothing  material  bapppcn- 
ed  till  we  arrived  near  the  banks  of  Newfouodlfind,  wbeo 
Captain  Blunt,  a  passenger  on  board,  died.  He  Wfli  an 
old  sailor,  and  a  rough  Methodist  {  yet  though  hii  mafl' 
ners  were  rude,  I  trust  his  heart  was  siocere^  and  I  ex- 
pect to  meet  him  in  heavenly  glory*^f|»v  «i^^ 


Bor, 


A 


J08RVA  UAnBDjeS. 


A  OOOD  HKTIODIST  80CIETT   IM   BALIPAX. 


Oo  Monday  moruing,  Oct  6,  we  lauded  at  Halifax^ 
tnd  were  coadfucted  to  the  bouse  of  twother  Black.    Hali- 
fax is  a  large  towu,  contaioing  about  8000  iohabitaots. 
The  houses  are  chiefly  built  of  wood,  aod  have  an  air  of 
neatness  and  elegance.    In  the  town  are  two  Protestant 
cliurches,  besides  a  Scotch  kirk,  a  Romish  church,    a 
Baptist  meeting-house,  and  a  Methodist  chapeL     The 
people  in   general  are  kind,  polite,  well-informed,  and 
many  of  them  friends  to  the  Methodists.    A  little  while 
ago,  Mr.  Black  and  I  waited  upon  the  Governor  to  ob<^ 
tain  permission  for  the  preacher,  resident  in  Halifax,  to 
marry  by  license.    We  were  received  with  peculiar  re- 
spect ;  he  granted  our  request,  and  made  us  an  offer  of  a 
piece  of  land  for  tlie  use  of  the  Halifax  Society.    Our 
chapel  is  not  handsome,   but  will  hold  near  a  thousand 
people,  and  on  the  sabbath-eveniog,  h  generally  crowded. 
Adjoining  the  chapel,  is  f    /ery  good  preacher*s  house. 
The  society  is  in  number  about  140,  some  of  them  people 
of  influence  and  respectability.     The  country  round  Hali- 
fax  exhibits  a  scene  of  barrenness,  but  a  romantic  pros- 
pect.    The  roads,  however,  are  remarkably  good,  and  the 
climate  is  more  moderate  than  in  any  other  part  of  Nova 
Scotia.     The  town  is  well  fottified,  well  garrisoned,    and 
has  One  of  the  most  commodious  harbours  in  all  North- 
America.  :^WJ'  .■  -*r 

After  staying  a  week  in  Halifax,  brother  Lowry  and  I 
set  out  for  Windsor,  his  appointment  being  the  city  St. 
John,  New-Brunswick,  and  mine  Cumberland,  at  the 
head  of  Fundy  Bay.  On  the  road  from  Halifax  to  Wind- 
sor, I  had  an  opportunity  of  reflecting  on  my  situation, 
and  viewed  myself  as  a  young  man,  with  but  little  expe- 


150 


^^•^EMoiRiS  oy  -' 


WINBDOX  IN  IfOVA  SCOTIA  A  WICKED  PIACC. 


lience)  little  religioo,  Utile  fortitude,  aod  placed  in  one  c^ 
the  most  critical  and  trying  Bituations  in  the  world  $  to  be 
ft  minister  of  die  everlasting  gospel,  a  guide  of  precious 
aouls^  and  a  missionary  in  a  foreign  land.  I  had  irhile  in 
England,  earnestly  besought  the  Lord  to  open  a  door  for 
me  to  act  as  a  missionary;  but  I  (hen  found  I  had  notsuf* 
llciently  counted  the  cost,  nor  duly  considered  my  own 
Inability.  The  discouraging  thoughts  which  arose  in  my 
mind  were  not  a  little  augmented  by  the  appearance  of  the 
country,  which  is  naked,  wild,  barren,  and  mountainous, 
with  only  here  and  there  a  house.**  These  things  made  my 
first  journey  of  46  miles  both  tedious  and  uncomfortable. 
Late  in  the  evening,  we  arrived  at  Windsor,  and  were 
dirteted  to  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Church,  a  member  of  the 
fiOciety,  and  a  respectable  farmer.  Windsor  is  a  small 
Tilti^  pleasantly  situated,  and  surrounded,  for  a  few  miles, 
with  the  best  land  in  all  Nova  Scotia.  N^ar  the  town 
stands  the  college,  now  constituted  a  Univei'sity.  The 
Inhabitants  seem  fond  of  dress,  aod  religion  appears  to  be 
Well  nigh  banished  from  the  place,  while  intoxication 
among  the  Tower  orders  of  people,  and  fashion  and  plea- 
sure among  buch  as  are  termed  the  better  sort,  Btipply  its 
room.  There  is  a  church  and  a  small  Methodist  chapel 
near  the  town :  but  our  society  is  dwindled  away,  and 
only  two  or  three  remain  to  lament  the  sad  declension. 
This  h^s  happened  chiefly,  I  believe,  through  want  of 
preaching.  Brother  Black  and  others  have  been  the  in- 
■strumeuls  of  some  short  revivals. 


But  having  no  succes' 


'fi:j,'r 


V 


•  Thii  rcUtes  chiefly  to  that  part  of  Nova  Scotia  that  is   betwixt  Halifw 
ftpd  Wiadgor,  perhaps  the  moRt  4near/  put  of  the  whole  province 


JOSHUA   1IAR8SEN. 


151 


aesaitt 


jiTATX  or  TBIIfOt   IM  OOMBBKIbAIlD  CIKOCIT. 


8ors  to  water  the  seed  sown,  U.  died  away,  and  the  people 
became  more*cold  and  unconcenied  than  before.  We 
preaehed  here  a  few  times,  and  afterwards  brother  Lowty 
sailed  for  his  appmntment  across  tlie  Bay  Of  Fuody,  and 
I  went  on  board  the  p&cket  kt  Partridge  Island  oo  my 
way  to  Cuoiberlaod. 

Cumberland  circuit  is  in  a  zigzag  line,  about  forty  railet 
long.  The  settlement  is  populous  and  productive,  but  the 
roads  are  bad,  and  the  country  unpleasant.  Many  of  tht 
settlers  are  people  from  Yorkshire,  some  of  whom  were 
Methodists  in  £ngland.  But,  besides  the  Methodists^ 
there  are  various  denominations  of  professing  Christians! 
and  not  a  few  Deists. 

We  have  two  meeting-houses,  one  at  Font  de  Bute,  and 
another  at  Sackville,  but  the  societies  are  small,  and  true 
religion  in  a  very  languid  state.  Formerly  there  was  a 
great  revival  in  this  circuit,  at  which  time  brother  Black 
was  raised  up,  butT  since  that  time,  vital  piety  ha?  beea 
eontioually  upon  the  decline,  and  scarcely  any  vestiges  of 
the  former  work  of  God  are  now  seen.  The  circuit  ia- 
large  enough  for  three  preachers,  but  at  present  they  have 
but  two  local  brethren  to  labour  among  them,  who,  being 
much  involved  in  trade,  have  but  little  time  to  preach  the 
gospel. 

I  had  not  long  travelled  in  Cumberland  circuit  before 
my  health  began  to  suffer  considerably.  Stormy  weather 
coming  on,  through  preachiog  almost  eveiy  day,  and  lying 
in  a  damp  bed,  I  caught  a  severe  cold.  At  first  I  paid 
little  attention  to  it,  till  becoming  hoarse,  I  was  obliged  to 
discontinue  preaching.  My  cold  brought  on  a  cough,  a 
fever,  and  a  spitting  of  blood.    Beiii^  now  far  from  my 

",v^,.    >>■■- 


I- 


152 


MEMOIRS   09 


masT.- 


THE  rRIBVDI  ArrLIOTED   OW  «T    ACCODNT. 


'ass 


native  country,  among  strangers,  at  a  distance  from  my 
brethren  the  missionaries,  and  destitute  of-  medical  help, 
I  found  the  affliction  a  severe  trial  of  my  faith  and  pa- 
tience. Nevertheless,  I  had  abundant  reason  to  be  thank- 
ful ;  I  found  a  home  in  God,  brethren  among  strangers, 
and  the  comforts  of  the  Holy  Spirit  were  sweet  cordials  to 
my  soul. 

I  had  now  time  to  examine  my  views,  weigh  my  mo. 
tives,  and  prove  my  graces.  And  truly  I  found  reason  to 
conclude  that  my  designs  and  desires  were  not  unwortlij- 
of  the  sacred  ministry.  Friends  watched  my  bed  with  un- 
abating  attention,  and  marked  every  step  of  my  disorder 
with  peculiar  anxiety.  My  peace  was  overflowing,  my 
joys  unutterable,  and  my  mind  raised  above  the  afflictioo, 
and  all  worldly  entai^lemeuts.  I  had  clear  discoveries  of 
my  interest  in  Christ,  bright  prospects  of  eternal  glory,  a 
strong  confidence  in  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  the  Re. 
deemer,  and  experienced  a  meek  submission  to  the  will  of 
God.  In  the  early  part  of  the  affliction,  I  was  uncertain 
what  the  Lord  was  about  to  do  with  me :  but  this  text, 
which  dwelt  upon  my  mind,  **  I  shall  not  die  but  live,  and 
declare  the  works  of  the  Lord,"  opened  some  prospect  of 
a  recovery.  The  friends,  in  general,  gave  me  up,  suppo> 
sing  it  impossible  I  should  recover :  yet  prayer  was  made 
in  every  part  of  the  circuit,  and  the  minds  of  the  people 
were  remarkably  affected,  considering  my  affliction  as  a 
judgment  upon  them  for  their  unfaithfulness  to  the  grace  of 
God.  Many  were  wont  to  crowd  about  my  bed  weeping 
and  sorrowful ;  and  on  one  occasion,  the  room  being  fi^ll,  I 
prevailed  on  them  to  prop  me  up  in  bed,  and  I  spoke  to 
them  of  the  things  of  God,  and  the  sweetness  of  rel%ioD. 


•^.. 


joiuvA  mmMfi. 


153 


u»  or  lAnoTiriie  ArrticTioi. 

liiiw—  awiiw  mil  in  I 


It  was  an  affecting  time )  iffhi,  tean,  and.  lamentatioas 
made  the  scene  trulf  wlemn* 

During  this  afflktioo,  I  had  t  itrtklni  view  of  the  dutjr, 
honour,  and  reward  of  •  faitbAil  mlolHer,  and  I  looged  to 
do  something  for  Christ  and  Imtiiortal  souls.     My  heart 
was  enlaiged  to  all  the  human  raee  In  an  inexpres- 
sible manner,  and  the  love  that  ecuteth  out  fear  was 
the  ruling  passion  of  my  soul     For  some  time  I  was  in  a 
strait  betwixt  two,  a  longing  to  er^ojr  the  full  manifestation 
(Tf  Christ  in  glor)",  and  »  desire  to  promote  his  kingdom  by 
living  longer.     At  length  It  pleased  the  liord  to  cause  the 
symptoms  that  were  most  alarming  to  abate,  and  by  slow 
degrees  to  restore  my  wonted  health.     Tet  it  was  soiTie 
time  before  I  could  venture  out|  and  remime  my  labour  in 
the  Lord's  Vineyard.    Respecting  this  affliction,  I  have  to 
remark,  1st  That  it  weaned  me  from  friends  and  relations, 
and  taught  me  to  consider  Ood  as  the  only  support  and 
felicity  of  an  immortal  spirit.    2dly.  It  prepared  my  mind 
for  the  ministry,  by  showing  me  the  vanity  of  the  world 
and  all  other  pursuits,    3dly.  It  gave  me  a  clearer  and 
more  affecting  view  of  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel,  by 
affording  me  an  opportunity  of  experiencing  their  efficacy 
in  supporting  me  when  I  most  needed  support.  Herein  God 
was  pleased  to  make  pain  my  preceptor,  and  taught  me  im- 
portant lessons  of  wisdom  in  the  school  of  affliction,  bless- 
ed be  the  name  'of  God  my  heavenly  corrector.     Amen 
and  Amen! 

Icontidued  labouring  In  the  Cumberland  circuit,  with 
little  success,  till  the  ensuing  Conference.  Our  congrega- 
tions were  tolerably  large  OD  the  Lord's  days ;  but,  e|:- 
c«ntit)g  the  members  of  society,  the  people  in  general, 


^f- 


U4 


KBHOinS  OF 


_JUl*L  .W 


LI!! 


OAllSCk  or  AHVINOMIAMISM. 


vera  resftarkably  hardened  and  iimteDitent.  My  seulwept 
and  mourned  for  them  :  Many  times  did  I  enlreat  then, 
with  tears  of  pity,  and  sprrow,  to  be  reconciled  to  God. 
JVUny  timea  did  I  warn  them  of  their  danger,  and  of  the 
a,wfulnes8  of  tli^ir  sta^  aod.  apiMeUmei,  the  obdurate  were 
bent  and  the  s^ony  hejar^a  melted;  but  ala*!  these  good 
impresuoi^  were  too  often  transient.  Those  nhom  the 
vrord  liad  wounded,  generally  applied  to  the  world  for  a 
ciurei  and  my  labour  was  almost  in  vain.  The  doctrine  of 
the  New-Light  Antinomiajps  h^  done  iafioite  injury  to  the 
cause,  of  pi/ure  aod  practical  piety.  **  I  can  do  nothing,'* 
is  hacknie.i  about  from  one  to  auoUiei'  in  a  dreadful  and 
disgusting  manner;  falls  from  ^ace  are  supposed  to  be  use- 
ful, as  keepingthe  so^l  huQ|ble»  and  some  have  gone  so  far 
as  to  say,  sin  only  defiles  the  shell,  i\m  body,  while  the 
soul,  the  kernel,  remaios  pure  and  uopollu^ted.  Prayer  is 
called  a  formal  duty,  an<)^  works  of  faith,  and  morality  of 
conduct  have  been  reckoned  the  grossest  legality.  But  I 
am  happy  to  say  these  doctrines  are  losing  ground  daily, 
and  I  hope  in  a  few  years,  they  will  have  no  more  in- 
fluence. M^aoy  weire.  my  trials  this  year;  bad  roads, 
stormy  weather,  painful  ieeliogs,  want  of  ability  for  the 
work,  and,  little  fruit,  gave  me  the  keenest  distresses. 

Cumberland  is  a  wicked  place :  but  there  are  a  few 
pious  souls  there,  and  I  hope  my  labour  was  not  altogether 
lost:  we  h^  some  precious  and  refreshing  seasons  to- 
gether, i^^er 

In  the  spring  I  wep|t  to  the  Con^rence  held  at  Annapo- 
lis, near  4wo  hundred  miles  from  Cumberland,  where  my 
-  drooping  heart  was  mudi  comforted  by  the  sight  of  my 
1i|«t]irejo.    Our  li^le  meetuig  was  conducted,  in  the  spirit 


JOSHUA  MAlfibEN. 


165 


VISITED  RAMMM  OR   tl>  AOLF  «r  BT.  LAWRKNCE. 


of  brotlierly  love  and  godly  fear:  and  as  the  Camberhind 
people  petitioned  for  my  retufO,  the  Conference  statiotted 
me  there  again.  This  wto  a  dbtreMing  year  to  my  soul, 
perplexed  with  oatward  triala,  vexed  with  inward  tempta- 
tiont,  aad  dejected  at  my  want  of  success  in  my  labours,  I 
was  ahttosi  led  to  murmur  against  the  ijord.  Wore  I 
faithfully  to  delineate  my  feelings,  I  should  exhibit  such  a 
picture  of  darkness  and  gloominess  as  is  seldom  seen. 
Matty  a  solitary  mile  have  I  rode,  bewailing  in  the  bitter^ 
aefls  6f  my  sovl  niy  unhappy  iftuatioo ;  and  hM  ric  the 
Lord  Mippmrted  me,  I  should  certainly  have  mtok  in  the 
mighty  billows  of  delpair. 

Dining  this  widter  I  tisited  llanlfiheg,  a  settlement  on 
the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  chiefly  cohiposed  of  French  peo- 
ple, and  emigrants  from  the  United  States.  Here  ail  the 
travelling  is  updn  the  ice ;  the  rivers,  bays,  and  even  the 
gulf  itself,  for  many  miles,  aire  all  covered  with  ice,  for 
many  months  every  year.  Notwithstanding  the  diiRculty 
of  travelling,  the  people  came  in  great  uumbeis  to  bear  the 
word ;  and  the  L6rd  blessed  my  unworthy  ministry  to 
many  souls.  We  had  many  sweet  times  of  refreshing  from 
the  divine  presence,  the  little  society  was  quickened,  and 
two  or  tbreie  souls  awakened  to  see  their  need  of  a  Sa- 
viour. But  as  the  ice  by  and  by  became  wea*-  my  stay 
was  not  long.  I  had,  however,  two  or  three  ?.:  row  es- 
capes frt)m  the  jaws  of  untimely  death.  Blcassed  be  my 
Rock ;  yea,  adored  for  ever  be  the  God  of  my  salvAtibn.** 

Though  this  settlement  lies  miich  out  of  the  way  of 
preaching,  they  have  about  forty  in  society,  who  continue 
to  meet  t<^ether,  and  the  Lord  hath  UrouderfuHy  preserv- 
ed them  by  his  power  and  grace.     Fi^m  the  eagerness 


i( 


1^ 


HEMOIRS   OS* 


TBEIK  KAKNEBTHESa  TO   BEAR  THE  WORD. 


with  which  they  came  out.  to  hear  the  word,  the  difficulties 
ihej  sumiounted,  and  the  tendemess  of  mind  visible 
among  them,  I  judged  that  if  they  bad  a  preacher  sta- 
tioned aoong  them,  the  whole  settlement  almost  would  be. 
come  christians  and  members  of  society.  Mai^  in  Eos- 
land  and  Ireland  do  not  know  how  to  value  a  p&nched 
gospel.  What  a  pity  that  such  an  inestimable  blessing 
should  be  slighted  or  abused  t  And  what  a  mystery  that 
so  many  ^at  would  willingly  embrace  the  benefits  thereof 
are  deprived  of  them.  While  I  was  at  Ranisheg,  I  had 
^n  opportunity  of  witnessing  their  heartfelt  love  for  the 
word.  It  was  not  unQwnmon  for  persons  to  come  ten,  fif- 
teen) twen^i  and  even  thirty  miles  to  the  preaching.  An 
hour  or  two  before  the  time  of  preaching  nothing  could  be 
seen  but  frozen  riverS)  and  bays,  and  the  dreary  gulf  also 
frozen  to  a  great  extent;  and,  on  the  land  side*  dark  and 
impenetrable  woods  skirtiqg  the  icy  pavement,  all  seem- 
ingly  without  inhabitant  of  man  or  beast.  But  as  the  ap- 
pointed hour  drew  near,  the  people  were  seen  coming  in 
groups,  firom  all  quarters,  some  skating,  others  on  large 
sledges  drswn  by  oxen,  and  some  on  little  slays  (a  few 
boards  nailed  together  and  fastened  to  a  horse.)  I  could 
hardly  tear  myself  away  from  this  simple,  loving  people; 
but  the  ice  was  become  dangerous:  so  that  I  was  com- 
pelled to  take  an  affectionate  leave  of  them,  not  knowing 
that  I  should  ever  see  them  again  till  the  resurrection  of 
the  just. 

About  the  middle  of  March,  I  returned  to  my  circuit, 
from  visiting  Ramsheg,  as  mentioned  above,  and  early 
in  the  spring  set  out  for  Annapolis,  to  attend  our  second 
Conference.     At  this  meeting,  it  was  moved  and  carried 


■,i.  1 


JOSlltJA   MAllSbEN. 


157 


BISHOrS  ASBPBT  AMD  WBATCOAT  PRIMITIVE  BISHOrs. 


lliat  as  the  citciiits  irtt^  WStliout  the  oiriliaflaees  of  Baptum 
and  the  Lbt^s  Supper,  (he  jroiing  brethten,  who  t^A  come 
fronk  iSnglaEn^  shodtd  go  to  the  ^ew-lToTk  Conferettce,  to 
te  Ukdire  fbily  iset  tt^if^rt  for  the  irork  ol  tht  mlDistrjr. 
Accordidgly,  bariag  setiled  ddtHtitle  in&tten,  we  einbark- 
€({  for  that  eity ;  and,  a^c^  a  short  and  pleasant  passage  of 
six  days,  we  arrived  just  in  time  to  attend  the  meeting. 
]^08t  of  the  preachers  appieared  to  be  zealous  yoijnig  men, 
and  the'  siiperintendents,  Mej^srs.  Asburjr  and  Whatcoat, 
s^m^d  peculiarly  fitteidfor  their  important  station.  Bdring 
the  ordiiiatioo-seryic6,  ray  ^Skid  Wiis  deeply  affected  with 
the  importance  of  the  ^^ork  of  the  ministry,  and  I  felt  g 
s^ng  and  ^€6  desire  to  cdnsetrate idir  all  to  the  service 
of  ray  heavfenly  Master. 

i;r^  itfe^6d!fi  Kew-lTork  only  a  feV  days,  and  then  i^ 
embarkeid  fcr  th(B  cold  ari^  rt^ed  dhdre^  of  i^ova  Sco- 
tia, cmphaticaily  so  When  tfottpared  With  the  beautiftit 
and  fert^e  bloom  of  the  iTnited  States.  JBroflier  fiennet 
and  k  took  oiir  passa|e  on  hdairA  a  Veisel  bound  for  Anha- 
poiis,  where  I  was  appointed  to  labour  tor  a  i%w  mdnUis, 
Annapolis,  formerly  the  6'apital  of  KoVa  l^cotia,  is  now  ho 
more  than  a  small  village.  It  is  situated  upon  a  river  of 
the  same  name,  and  neiir  ohe  of  the  tneit  basins  for 
shipping  in  the  ^hote  world,  td  the,  town  there  is  a 
Churcli,  a  l^oui^-bbuse,  beautiful  Barracks,  and  a  sniat^ 
neat  Mettio<iist  chapel.  Hie  circuit  is  large  and  populous, 
having  many  settlements  on  both  sides  of  the  river;- and 
professing  christians  are,  as  in  other  parts  of  the  proyibcei 
niu,ch  divided  in  tjfieir  religious  sentiments.  But  Oi^' 
MethiWiistSi  Baptists^and  Church  people,  are  the  mostjaivr 


15  8 


MEMO  I  AS  or 


success  OF    THE  OOSPEL  IN    ANHAPOLIS. 


'i- 


meroUB.  There  are  five  Protestant  churches^  three  Bap- 
tist meetings,  and  two  Methodist  chapeb.  The  churches 
are  all  occupied  by  ministers)  who  call  infant  baptism  re- 
generation, and  think  conversion  a  delnsioo.  In  this  coua- 
try  the  Baptists  are  a  steady  moral  people.  Mn  Chip, 
man,  their  minister,  lives  and  preaches  the  gospel,  being  a 
pious,  holy  man.  u^ 

tThe  Methodists,  however,  are  evidently  the  most  zea* 
lous  and  lively  people  in  the  country.  Very  many  of 
them  have  coneiderable  talents,  and  are  truly  devoted  to 
Godi  There  are  «bout  ninety  white  people  in  socie^, 
and  a  few  pious,  circumspect  blacks. 
>  While  I  was  in  this  circuit,  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
revive  hb  vork:  We  had  glorious  times  of  refreshing 
jfrom  his  presence,  and  often  fiMiod  it  difficult  to  break  up 
our  meetii^.  One  brought  to  Ood,  at  that  time,  is  now  in 
heavenly  glory.  Old  christians  were  quickened,  the  meet> 
iogs  well  attended,  and  sometimes  the  Lord  was  very  emi* 
nently  present  In  the  midst  of  these  promising  pros- 
pects, I  was  called  away  to  St  John.  I  i^ft  Annapolis 
with  peculiar  r€|;ret,  and  crossed  the  Bay  of  Fundy  for 
that  city. 

St  Johti,  the  capital  of  New  Brunswick,  is  like  a  small 
English  town,  or  large  village.  It  is  built  upon  a  rock, 
with  a  large  navigable  river  running  at  the  foot  of  it 
The  town  cniitaios  about  two  thousand  inhabitants,  who 
are  chiefly  Church  people  or  Methodists,  with  a  small  so- 
ciety of  New-Lights,  (as  they  are  termed)  and  a  few  Pres- 
byterians. The  church  is  an  elegant  building,  witli  a 
beautiful  organ ;  but  the  Methodbt  chapel,  formerly  the 
old  church,  is  a  small  and  inconveuieot  place,  much  oat  of 


•.( 


JOSHUA  MAR8DEN.' 


itatJtL- 


ST.   JOHN,  N.    B.    RATBCft  DXSART   IN  APPEARANCE. 


rq>airi  astd  indeed  alrooBt  coming  down.'"'— >Could  the  soi* 
Ciftj  in  England  give  tliein  ^kj  or  eig^ity  pounds,  to  ea- 
couirage  them  to  build  another^  it  would  be  an  act  of  the 
noblest  charitj,  as  the  members  of  the  society  are  chiefly  v 
poor,  and  many  of  the  inhabitants  unfriendly. 

The  winters  here  are  intensely  cold,  and  the  summers 
peipetually  fogg>'.    There  are  no  mossy  fountains,  smiling 
meads,  purling  rills,  blooming  gardens,  or  lovely  groves ; 
but  the  whole  scene  is  barren,  rocky,  deformed,  and  un- 
pleasant.   Many  oS  the  members  of  society  are  the  spiri- 
tual children  of  that  excellent  young  man,  Mr.  Bishop, 
whose  name  and  memory  will  long  be  like  ointment  pour- 
ed forth  in  these  parts.       On  the  Sabbath-day  our  little 
chapel  is  well  attended,  and  the  congregation  would  be 
larger  were  there  more  room.    The  river  St.  John  extends 
about  three  or  four  hundred  miles  up  the  country,  towards 
Lower  Canada,  with  settlements  or  plantatiomi  on  each 
^de.    On  many  parts  of  the  river  we  have  small  societies. 
Last  winter  God  was  pleased  to  revive  his  work  at  Shef- 
field, fifty-five  miles  up  the  river,  under  the  ministry  of 
our  beloved  brother  Bennet.      Many  were  truly  brought 
to  Ood,  joined  the  society,  and  continue  to  this  day  to  re- 
flect lustre  on  the  christian  name.r-May  they  be  stars  in 
his  crown  in  the  day  of  judgment,  and  to  all  eternity ! 
On  the  banks  of  this  river  is  a  field  sufficient  to  employ 
two  itinerant  preachers  constantly ;  but,  alast  they  have 
only  t^e  labours  of  two  local  brethren,  and  a  visit  occa- 
sionally from  the  preachers  appointed  for  the  city,     There 
are  two  chapels,  one  at  St.  Ann's,  and  another  at  Sheffield  ; 


^  They  have  now  a  fine  spacious  chapel  raised,  though  not  ItniGhed,  while  the 
author  vu  thtre ;  «Dd  the  doDition  |naDtioB«a  wasflvMi  by  tb6  Afinion  Cam- 
miltN. 


M' 


Ittf Moras  OF 


TISITKB  DCSKHTEK8  TTtfO  f  ODMD  PKACK  WITH  OOS, 


iNit,  for  want  6f  bek^  supplied  irith  preachers,  they  both 
Tettiaki  ttDfinished.  While  I  was  in  thi«  efrctili,  a  few 
were  awakened  and  added  td  the  society,  both  in  the  city, 
and  up  the  riter;  fnd,  blessed- t)e  God,  some  of  theiii  con- 
tioue  steadfast  to  this  day. 

In  ithe  spring  i  k^  3t.  Jobiti,  to  attend  the  conference  at 

Windsor,  whett  i  WiA  appointed  for  Liverpool  Ckcuit,  in 

Nova  Scotia.     On  my  Way  diither,  I  stopped  three 

months  in  HaKfaJc,  while  brother  !}lack  Went  to  the  city 

St.  John.    Here  I  Was  called  to  attend  the  executioti  of 

several  deserters)  who  were  shot;  atfd,  glory  be  tdGod,  my 

labour  was  not  in  vain.      Some  Of  them  witnessed  a  good 

confession,  and  died  ble^ihg  and  pr&i8it%  the  namie  of  the 

liord  Jesus.    When  brother  Black  murned  from  New 

BruL^wick,  I  sailed  fot  My  ildt!6n  at  Liverpool,  which 

IB  a  small  toWn  on  the  ^^ris  of  the  Atlantic,  suppOi*ted 

ehieRy  by  ishing  attd  the  West-India  trade.     Our  Ho- 

ciety  here  is  respectable,  though  small.     The  thapel  is  a 

foeautifUl  building,  and  on  the  Lord^s  days  very  WeH  at* 

tended.    The  inhabitants  are  divided  into  two  denomitia* 

tions,  Methodists  and  Congregationalistd.    In  the  absence 

of  the  missionary,  the  cliarge  of  the  soeiety  has  devolved 

upon  brother  Newton,  who  is  a  local  preacher,  a  magis- 

Irate,  and  a  collector  of  his  Majesty's  Customs;         ^'*- 

Liverpbol  h  abotit  ninety  miles  from  Halifax  hf  Water, 

and  forty  fitmi  Shelbum^     The  country  parts  of  the  cir* 

cult,  branching  along  the  shore,  comprehend  Port  Mutton, 

Port  ;Jolly,  Port  Le  Bare,  and  Port  Medway.     Religion 

is  not  in  a  flourishing  state  in  this  ciicuit,  many  of  the 

people  removing  away;  and,  if  the   war  continue  any 

length  of  time,  it  is  to  be  feared  the  place  will  be  w^  nf 

ruined. 


'vg 


JOSHUA  MAa9DEN. 


161 


MATBRIALB  Of  HT  MIlTISTKr. 


iwj7,7„yi-.'  ,j 


"<**■• 


■** 


From  Liverpool  I  was  called  to  supply  brother  Black's 
place  at  Halifax,  while  he  attended  the  Baltimore  coo- 
fereoce.  I  stayed  ia  Halifax  till  June,  at  which  time 
our  little  meeting  commenced. — ^At  this  conference  I  waa 
once  more  appointed  to  labour  in  the  St  John  circuit, 
where  I  am  at  present,  labouring  in  my  imperfect  manner, 
to  build  the  temple  of  the  Lord.  A  few  have  joined  the 
spjdety  lately,  and  have  found  peace  with  God.  I  have 
just  returned  from  a  visit  up  the  river,  where  I  have  rea- 
son to  ctNsclude  my  unworthy  labours  have  been  much 
blessed,  and  my  own  soul  giaci^usly  watered. 

I  have  been  seven  years  in  the  society,  and  have  preach- 
ed almost  six.  The  doctrines  I  have  been  endeavour- 
ing to  inculcate  are,  man's  fall  and  depravity  of  nature; 
the  abundant  mercy  of  Qod  in  Christ;  repentance  and  faith 
in  Christ,  as  the  ternu  or  conditions  of  finding  peace  with 
God;  a  present  salvation  from  guilt  by  justification 
through  Christ^s  blood,  and  from  the  power  and  pollution 
of  sin,  by  the  sanctifying  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit* 
These,  and  the  doctrines  connected  with  them,  compose 
the  principal  of  my  discourses,  are  the  basis  of  my  hope, 
and  the  deliirht  of  my  soul.  The  Methodist  discipUue, 
as  one  chief  aiean  of  preserving  our  societies,  I  cordially 
approve  of,  and  am  determined,  God  being  my  helper,  lo 
enforce  continually.  And  I  hope  to  persevere  in  the  faith, 
and  to  experience  the  efficacy  of  the  above  truths,  till  my 
Bpirit  return  to  God,  and  my  warfare  is  accomplished.  ^^ 
I  am}  dear  Sir, 

With  great  respect,       .,k.,^^^^^   ~  ,4| 

Your  i)''>edient  servant, 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


*%:■ 


4 


162 


XBMfilBS  (1/9 


*'iH 


KZ  Li>?IUBB  JN  TBB  CITT  MINT  i9nH, 


i^isa^-^' --''■■ 


XfctriBg  lim  wkitei;i  laboured  Iq  St.  ifk/a^  tsd  tlong  the 
'  baDks  of  the  river,  «i*h  jDuch  lueceit  M^fttMctkii, 
Diflfererret  were  recoatileii    Old  piijudkc^  s$iiOii|  die 
flocietj  seemed  to  il^se  grouod.     There  wai  ft  i^^'%iil«  Sm* 
grease  of  cbilsdaa  aiEectiea  and  aitn^lleiiy     ^  rlhyt^r 
,the  daj  into .  legulp'  parts :  ia  t!i«  iKnrgini  bm^  /bur  till 
«%ht  o'clock  I  devoted  my  lime  tofe^dlm^  i'^^Tt  trrl. 
tiog,  aod. prayer;  in  tbc  forefioim  1  d«T«ted  the  Hfne,  is 9. 
great  measure,  to  i^astoral  visits,  aiMl  ^I^H'ig  th«  ikk: 
the  afternoon  i^as  takea  up  in  reti:ti0^^   m^  mi:(  '  \f 
the  cksses,  tl.t?ee  or  lour  of  which i  rm^  ertrt   week; 
and  i.  ilie  evening  wa  had  a  meetifig  of  one  klod  or  an* 
other.  I  ifEn^^e^l  nty  labours  with  alaerUy  ioddettgbt.    I 
do  not  rvc^kct  when  my  soul  prospered  snore  thao  at 
this  season  I  nor  do  I  remember  that  I  vwm  hM  mere  the 
spirit  of  my  duty.    Be  instant  in  seasoD  ftiiii  ^t  of  seiM0, 
^as  my  motto;  hence,  in  addition  to  my  Oiifier  dutiei,  1 
beiil  prayer^meetings  in  different  ptrif  of   the  town; 
preached  from  house  to    house,   wherever  a  door  ws8 
opened;  catechised  the  children  once  %  week,  aod  held  a 
select  mee^  at  my  own  house  every  week  iot  reading 
the  lives  and  experience  of  diristiaos.    giivDiyi  if  mltili* 
ter»  would  consider  how  much  their  suceesa  depende  upeo 
diligence,  industry,  and  active  exertions  in  the  rioefard  of 
the  Lord,  they  could  hardly  be  satMed  to  preach  nei«ty 
two  sermons  on  the  6aM)ath<day.    Alas  I  doeallkitaR  ttoipt 
only  on  the^sabbath  ^  Does  corrupt  nature  He  dormr  atthe 
other  six  days  ?   Have  we  not  dally  need  io  have  our 
miods  stirred  up  ?  And  do  not  people  pay  and  keep  their 
miiiisters  for  this  self-same  thing  ?    I  do  not  mo^  how  a 
mioi^ter  that  receives  five,  ten,  fiftee^i^  or  twenty  huodred 


only 


JOSHUA   MAEflDEN. 


16S 


UINISTM8  OPOBT  TO  BS  SUblOUIT  AHO  FAITHrUb. 


doUan  Ihmi  his  people,  cao  awneF  to  eiiber  reason,  jus- 
ties,  or  propriety,  llie  neglect  of  giving  binnelf  wholljp 
and  cootittualfy^  to  the  work  of  the  miaistiy.    If  he  preach 
only  two  sermons  on  Ike  Lord's  day,  and  receive  only 
dve  hundred  ddlars  per  annunii  Ik  has  fire  dellan  for 
each  sermon.    If  he  have  a  th<Hi6and  dollars,  then  he  has 
(CD*    If  ht  have  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  then  fifteen  for 
overy  time  he  preaches.    I  hardly  think  there  is  a  just 
and  reasonable  (Hroportion  betwixt  the  woA  and  the  wa- 
ges :  in  such  cases  I  am  by  >  no  means  a  friend  to  people 
starving  their  mimsteis,  or  forcing  them  to  wear  a  thread- 
bare  coat,  and  a  shabby  bat ;  but  there  riiould  be  reasou 
and  justice  in  all  things.   St.  Paul,  than  whom  perhaps,  no 
man«ver  received  less  for  preaching  the  gospel,  or  labour- 
ed more,  could  nevertheless  say  to  the  Ephesians,  j"  Ye 
know  fromthe  first  day  that  I  came  into  Asia,   after  what  ^ 
manner  I  have  been  witli  you,  at  all  seasons  serving  the  i 
Lord,  with  all  humility  of  mind,  and  how  I  kept  baclt^ 
noiliiog  that  was  profitable  unto  you,  but  have  showed  i 
you,  and  have^  taught  you  publicly,  and  from  house   t<^  > 
house,  testifying  bodi  to  the  Jews  and  ta  the  Greeks  i^ 
pentance  towards  Ood,  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  i 
therefore  watch  and  leniember,  that  bj  the  space  of  three 
years  I  ceased  not  to  warn  every  one,  night  and  day,  witl^ 
tears."    Here  is  an  example  of  diligence !     Bid  Paul  con- 
fine his  labours  to  the  Lord's  day  ?   Did  he  suppose  two 
Sunday-sermons  enough  for  the  whole  week  ?    Alas !  alas  I 
bow  are  w^  fallen  from  that  ministerial  strictness,  faithful- 
ness, and  diligence  recommended  by  the  scripture,  and  es^ 
emplified  by  the  apostles  I 


n 


0:<M.-  v**-i 


164 


MftMoiRs  or 


A  SUIMON   I  rRXAOBCD  ATTBHDCD  WITH  OREAT  POWKK. 


^The  wor)^  of  Ood  prospered  io  the  ciiy  :  several  were 
added  to  our  oumber,  and  those  in  society  were  built  up 
and  comforted.  I  well  remember  one  aermon  that  I  preach- 
ed from  these  words:— "Be  instructed,  O  Jerusalem t  lest 
my  soul  depart  from  thee"-— was  attended  with  such  a  migh- 
ty power  of  Ood,  thU  nothing  but  groans,  tears,  sobs,  and 
exclamations  were  heard  throughout  the  chapel.  Some 
wept  aloud,  others  were  agitated  in  a  most  singular  man- 
ner, and  the  effects  of  it  were  visible  for  many  months; 
though  I  know  not  that  ever  I  preached  a  sermon  under 
greater  anxiety  and  depression  of  mind.  My  very  soul 
had  been  harrowed  up  by  some  peculiar  trials,  and  I  al- 
most began  to  doubt  whether  or  not  I  was  called  to  the 
mhiistry  ;  but  the  exercise  of  this  day  broke  the  snare, 
dissipated  the  clouds,  and  fired  my  soul  with  renewed 
zeal,  courage,  and  resolution.  How  wisely  and  treasonably 
doth  the  Lord  reserve  his  mercies  for  our  sinkirjg  moments ; 
and  when  the  storm  is  at  the  highest,  he  comes  walking 
^ponthe  waves. 

During  this  winter  I  hacl  many  precious  seasons;  but  I 
had  also  many  powerful  trials  ;  and  I  am  well  persuaded, 
the  more  faithfully  a  minister  of  God  discharges  his  duty, 
the  more  the  old  serpent  and  his  brood  of  vipers  will 
quake.  I  had  to  preach  against  sabbath-breaking,  and  the 
magistrates  thought  I  reflected  upon  their  conduct.  I  had 
to  preach  against  dancing,  and^the  gay  thought  I  reflected 
upon  them.  I  had  to  preach  against  drunkenness,  and 
some  said,  Master,  thou  coudemnest  us.  I  had  to  preach 
against  smuggling,  and  this  came  so  home  to  one  that  he 
would  hardly  speak  of  mc  with  charity,  or  to  me  with 


^^m* 


,^;r 


::^!''M: 


'■t* 


JOSHUA    MaRSDEN. 


105 


•ATAH    THE    ItCOIMT   AND  OOD  OF  WICKED  MEW. 


plesMotoeM.  One  sabbath  eveniqg  I  preached  from  that 
V^t,  Mif  name  ia  litgimki  from  nhidi  I  «adeavouied  to 
prove  that  the  trk^ed  are  snder  diabolical  agencx*  sukI 
that  Satan,  in  vanona  forms,  Yules  in  the  hearts  of  the  chil- 
dren of  disobedience.  I  also  observc4»  that  there  are  ma- 
ny evil  spirits  engaged  in  this  bad  work,  and  that  while 
one  man  is  under  the  influence  of  a  lying  devil,  another 
is  seduced  by  a  cheating  devil ;  a  third  is  the  captive  of  a 
proud,  revengeful  devil ;  these  are  seduced  by  a  dancing 
devil,  and  those  by  a  backbiting  demon ;  one  is  possessed 
df  an  unclean  spirit,  and  another  of  a  dumb;  this  is  the 
dhild  of  MammoQ,  that  of  Belial.  The  sermon  fiffoished  a 
topic  of  tea-table  conversation  to  the  gay  and  wealthy.  A 
oortain  lady,  whose  domestic  belonged  to  the  society,  came 
io  mighty  high  glee  one  day  into  the  kitchen;  *«5o, 
BEaonaih,  Mr.  Marsden  has  been  preaching  about  devils ; 
and  which  devil  did  he  say  was  the  worst,  Hannah  ?*'  **  A 
backbiting  devil,  madam!"  It  was  enou/h!  Hannah's 
mistress  left  the  kitchen  as  quick  as  if  she  /.  ad  been  bit  by 
a  tarantula.  Some  thought  I  was  too  sev  .^re ;  others  too 
pointed;  tfnis  did  I  prove  what  Luther  tr.id  Melanctbon, 
**  If  you  preach  the  gospel  fi^thfiUly,  mea  will  e!  he]r  be- 
come enemies  to  their  inns,  or  to  you.** 

I  had  great  trouble  with  one  man,  who  had  been  an  of- 
ficial member;  his  conduct  in  sm'^'^^^'^^g  was  so  notorious, 
that  the  whole  society  was  implicated  in  the  chai;ge,  and 
reflected  upon  ^by  the  world.  Truly,  how  much  injury 
can  one  raan^s  conduct  inflict  upon  a  whole  society;  and 
when  such  a  man,  with  some  talents,  and  more  property, 
sets  himself  against  order,  discipline,  and  the  pure  morality 
^IflliHi  Christ,  whet  a  thorn  is  ko  in  the  side  of  &  chris- 


.Vt-  ,:,•.* 


m 


-       166 


MBM0IR8  0» 


A  FAITHFUL  MIIIIITBR  OVTKll   A  BOTT  OV  lEWItTMBNT. 


*-.- 


tiao  ninfater  and  what  a  hurt  to  the  church  that  vetaint 
him  in  itabowm.  By  these  things  the  societj  was  some- 
tines  ready  to  fj .  toro  Id  pieces.  Never  did  I  need  more 
of  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent,  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove, 
the  meekness  of  the  lamb,  and  the  boldoess  of  the  Ikw, 
than  on  this  occasloD.  At  one  season,  I  was  apon  the 
mountain  of  leopards,  and  at  another  time  inthedeneli 
lions;  but  the  Lord  was  with  me,  and  blessed  be  Mb  holy 
name,  I  was  enabled  to  outride  the  storm.  I  knew  the  way 
t  -  calm  every  thing  in  a  trice  was,  to  compromise  the  purity 
of  the  society,  and  wink  at  a  man's  preaching  one  day  and 
8m******gthe  next.  However,  I  had  not  so  learned 
Christ.  .4m  ^^^' 

It  may  not  be  amiss  here  to  give  a  more  particular  de- 
scription of  the  city  St.  John :— -The  town  is  built  upon  a 
river  of  the  same  name,  on  the  western  side  of  the  Bay  of 
Fundy,  and  nearly  opposite  to  Digby,  ir  iNova  Scotia. 
The  pliace  was  first  settled  by  royalist  emigrants  from 
the  United  States,  after  the  evacuation  of  New- York. 
The  town  contains  about  500  houses  and  3000  inhabitants, 
an  Episcopal  church,  and  a  spacious  Methodist  chapel,  on 
the  foiindation^tone  of  which  I  had  the  pleasure  to  preach 
to  perhaps  a  thousand  people.  There  is  also  a  court- 
house, an  academy,  and  barracks.  Here  the  tide  rises 
nearly  forty  feet;  the  river  is  wide,  and  is  a  noble  place 
for  fish:  salmon,  shad,  herring,  and  sturgeon  abound,  and 
furnish  employment  and  wealth  to  several  hundreds  of  the 
inhabitants.  The  trade  of  St.  John  is  chiefly  to  England 
and  the  West-Indies;  in  time  of  peace,  they  have  a  good 
trade  with  the  United  States,  to  which  they  carry  plaster 
of  paris  and  grind-stones—* but  this  is  ruined  with  smug- 


JOIHVA  MAIIIOllf. 


16f 


THE  riLi.*  or  •?.  ionut  TSk 


lif  aHAIID. 


gliof  tad  contraband  goodf.    Two  milet  from  the  cUy  are 
the  falls  of  the  river,  whieb  at  low  water  are  graod)  and 
yet  terrific.    A  body  of  watery  a  mile  wide,  and  from  fif- 
teea  to  tventj  feet  deep,  nifhet  through  a  lied  of  rocks 
with  such  terrible  Impetuoiity,  ai  no  language  can  posBi- 
My  deienbe.    TbedeMeni  it  about  twenty  feet,  but  the 
foam  and  froth  eorer  the  whole  harbour,  and  the  uoiae  is 
heard  severpl  mileij  and  yet  when  the  tide  below  rises  to 
the  level  of  the  wat«ra  abovey  YfMeli  go  through  for  a  l'e\r 
minutes,  so  that  the  river  if  nevortheleM  navigable  for  one 
hundred  miki  above  the  fallf.    Round  the  city  nothiHg 
appears  to  attract  the  eye  |  the  prospect  is  rocky,  barren, 
and  mountahioui.     Probably  the  Faulkland  Islands  tliem- 
selves  are  not  more  dismal.    Whoever  travels  through  the 
world  to  see  beautiful  vlitas,  purliog  streams,  and  Elysiaa 
groves,  most  not  come  here.    Here  are  irregular  clumps 
of  stunted  pine  growing  among  the  rocl^s  {  salt  marshes, 
and  muddy  creeks  {  and  yet  all  the  blessings  of  animal 
life  are  brought  in  abundance  down  the  river  in  summer 
by  boatf,  and  in  winter  t>y  sleds*    I  have  had  to  come 
down  the  river  in  these  in  the  latter  end  of  March  and  be- 
ginning of  April,  when  the  ice  has  been  worn  so  thin  by 
the  current  beneath,  and  the  action  of  the  sun  above,  that 
we  feared  every  moment  a  plunge  into  the  abyss  below. 
A  terrible  accident  of  this  kind  befell  one  who  had  been 
a  member  of  the  society,  but  gradually  fell  away  ti\i  he 
lost  all  bii  religion,  tlie  form  as  well  as  the  power. — 
Being  a  tailor  by  trade,  he  frequently  (inished  and  sent 
home  his  clothes  on  the  Lord*s  day,  and  when  reminded 
of  the  wickedness  of  thus  profaning  the  sabbath,  he  would 
jocosely  answer,  It  was  no  great  harm  to  borrow  a  little  from 


168 


MKaiOIMB   UV 


B.t'-SWS* 


'(».,-^ 


icoTca  sritcorALiAii*  iwotkp. 


the  Lord,  provided  we  paid  him  again.    Thii  practice  was 
coatinued,  till  ridiof  one  sabbath  on  the  ice,  the  whole 
plunged  in  and  were  seen  uo  more.     Thus,  he  that  being 
often  reproved  and  hardeneth  hit  neck,  iball  suddenly  be 
destroyed,  and  that  without  remedy.    It  ia  awful  to  trifle 
with  Jehovah ;  he  is  terrible  in  wrath,  and  fearful  in  ma- 
jesty.   Who  ever  hardened  himself  i^aiost  Ood  and  pros- 
pered ?  ■\*^'9i-i'^iimf^  .,'9i'  Aifiit^ru(tyi^t'f<nri^ 
The  city  St.  John  eontaina  a  few  Baptists,  a  flourish- 
ing Metliodist  society,  and  a  great  number  of  Scotch  £pi»r 
copalians.     These  disciples  of  Knox,  when  they  chaoge 
their  creed,  seem  to  acquire  a  superadded  degree  of  bi> 
gotry  and  ill«natui«  by  the  «haogt,.  and  are  more  fierce 
againil  disMOlen  afterwards*  than  they  were  igalost  both 
Pope  ond  Prelate  before.  Hence,  there  are  few  placet  where 
Methodism  haa  had  to  contend  with  mora  aerioua  (tifficul- 
ties  and  systematic  bigotry  than  in  St.  John.     Alaa !  thit 
wicked  lives  and  nan'ow  minds  should  be  so  often  united 
together !    But  so  it  is.     I  hardly  ever  met  a  wicked  man 
of  this  description,  but  who  thought  he  would  atone  for 
his   sin  by  greater   fierceness  in  supporting  bis  creed. 
Alas !  that  creed>makers  should  have  spent  their  time  to  so 
little  purpose  as  to  make  men  fierce,  cruel,  bigoted,   and 
disputatious !     Perhaps  there  has  been  mwe  written  to  il- 
lustrate, enforce,  and  defend  human  creeds,  than  to  support 
and  inculcate  tlie  word  of  God.    I  place  human  creeds 
in  general  upon  a  par  with  the  traditions  of  the  elders, 
the  Talmud  of  the  JewS)  and  the  Canons  and  BuUs  of 
the  Pope  of  Rx)me,    What  can  be  more  complicated  ithan 
creeds  generally  are  ?     What  is  nior^  simple  than,  tbe 
word  of  God  ?\'^*^pf'''ffi9ss$:«i#t^:^(^w#%^ 


JOSHUA   MAEBDEK. 


loor 


-atjixaj 


■IMPLB  BOOrmiMH  or  TIB  eOSPBL. 


The  doctrines  of  the  gospel  »n  plain ;  creeds  are  am* 
biguous.  The  words  of  the  new  coreoant  are  simple ; 
creeds  are  complex.  The  seriptare  is  the  word  of  Ood; 
creeds  are  the  works  of  men.  HumaD  creeds  are  multi- 
plied without  end  ;  tlie  word  of  Ood  is  one  clear,  eter- 
nal, and  inrariable  rule.  Commend  me  not,  therefore, 
either  to  the  Heidelbuifh  or  the  assembly's  catechism,  the 
articles,  homilies,  and  canons  of  the  church  of  England,  the 
church  «f  Rome,  nor  any  other  church;  but  commend  me 
to  the  word  of  God.  It  is  evident  from  scripture  and  ex- 
periefvce,  that  I  am  a  fallen  creature.  I  am  there  told  that 
Jesus  Christ  gave  bis  life  a  ransom  for  all.  I  am  requiried 
to  repent  of  my  sins,  and  believe  in  this  adorable  Redeem- 
er. I  am  told  that  he  will  give  me  his  Holy  Spirit  if  I 
ask  him,  to  work  ioi  my  heart  the  grace  of  repentance, 
faith,  and  vegeneration.  I  am  told  that  a  holy  life  will, 
through  the  infinite  merits  of  Christ,  entitle  me  to  salvation 
and  glory.  I  am  told  in  scripture,  that  holiness  consists 
in  loving  6ed^  and  my  ne^hbbur ;  in  beii^  humble,  chaste, 
temperate,  true,  honestj  devout,  and  benevolent.  I  am 
Uiere  told  that  the  means  of  intercourse  betwixt  Christ 
and  a  gracious  soul,  are  faith  and  prayer;  and  that  God 
communicates  himself  by  his  Spirit,  word,  and  ordinances. 
It  will  be  observed  here,  that  I  mention  nothing  about  se- 
cret  decrees^  imputed  obedience^  tffeetual  caUsi  reprobation^ 
divine  sovereignty,  destroying  human  agena/y  irresistible 
grace,  and  a  catMogue  of  other  terras  that  have  no  foun- 
dation whatever  in  scripture ;  they  are  the  manufacture 
of  creeds;  the  former  oidy  is  the  pure,  unadulterated 
word  of  God.  Where  am  I  told  that  God  and  his  Son,  at 
a  divine  council  held  in  heaven,    agreed  that  J«gus 


^     V 


170 


Memoirs  of 


THOU8AHDB   OP  HOLT,   WOKTIir  eALVIIilSTS. 


Christ  should  come  into  the  world,  and  shed  his  blood  for 
a  limited  number  of  the  human  race,  called  the  Elect  ?  if 
God's  decrees  are  secret,  who  revealed  them  to  man  ?  I 
am  told  that  Jesus  €biiBt  died-  for  me ;  but  io  what  part 
of  the  scripture  am  I  totel  that  Jesus  Christ  obeyed  for  me, 
so  as  to  dissolve  the  otdigatioo  of  my  actual  personal  obe- 
dience ?  If  God  wiUeth  ntrt  the  death  of  a  sinner,  on 
whom  am  I  to  fix.  tlie  black  mark  of  reprobation  ?  If 
grace  ii^  irreppectivis  i^'^d  Resistible,  how  can  I  either  be 
blamed  for  not;  having  it,  or  commended  for  the  blessing? 
I  am  no  enemy  to  any  man  that  holds^  the  above  doctrines, 
or  thinks  it  his  duty  to  quote  or  preach  from  humaQ 
creeds;  I  have  only  taken  the  liberty  of  Elitiu-— "  1  also 
will  show  mine  opinion."  There  are  thousands  of  the  C&l- 
vinists  holy,  useful>  eminent  meu)  whcac  8hoe<*latchet  I  am 
not  worUiy  to  unlcost^  But  does  it  follow,  because  there 
are  holy  CalvinistSi  that  the  Institutes  of  John  Calvin,  the 
opinions  of  the  synod  of  Dort,  the  assemblies  or  Heidel- 
burgh  catechisms  are  true  ?  I  trow  not.  Let  me  be  a  bible 
christian !  Let  me  be  a  follower  of  the  word  of  God ! 
Umts  liber :  a  man  of  one  book.  <'''^'***  >«««»*«**        ^  * 

As  a  part  of  my  circuit  lay  upon  the  banks  of  the  river 
St.  John,  I  would  here  say  a  word  or  two  on  that  noble  ri- 
ver. St.  Joim  is  among  the  second  class  of  rivers  in  the 
world.  It  is  more  than  four  hundred  miles  long,  extend- 
ing towards  Lower  Canada:  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
above  Fredericton  are  the  Grand  Falls,  a  cataract  of 
ninety  feet  perpendicular  ;  for  nearly  one  hui^red  miles 
the  river  is  i  mile  wide;  on  its  banks  are  both  fine 
tracks  of  upland  and  intervale  ;  it  receives  the  tribute  of 
H  number  of  smaller  rivere  and  noble  lakes.     The  grand 


JOBHUJk  JlABaDEN. 


'ftl 


THE  OOSrSIt  HAS  KB80U1TPE0  THftOITOH  TBK  WOODS  OF  AMERICA.! 


lake,  OQ  whose  banks  I  have  had  maoj  a  precious  sea* 
SOD,  is  nearly  forty  miles  loi^.  The  wooda  along  the  ri- 
ver are  full  of  pine,  sume  of  which  are  the  largest  in  the 
woild;  ateo,  Hi^de,  (^Muce,  heidock,  biscb,  beach,  ash, 
and  white  oak— ^h)!!  the  mapte-eap  the  settlers  and  In- 
diana make  abundance  of  good  sugar.  This  province  is 
much  splk  and.  intersected  with  rivers,  some  of  the  largest 
of  which  are  the  St.  John,  St  Croix,  (the  boundary  iine 
betwixt  the  United  States  and  this  part  of  British  AnKri- 
ca,)  the  Kanabekesis^  the  Pedioodiac,.  and  a  number  of 
others.  The  inhabitants  are  Uunly  settled.-4here  are  no 
roads  good  for  any  thing— -the  winters  are  dreadfuUy  se^ 
vere,  and  the  spring  late  and  unpleasant,  and  sometimes 
the  frost  sets  in  so  early  as  to  injure  the  crops.  Yet  even 
here  the  lij^t  of  piety  shines.  These  wastes  have  heard 
a  voice.  These  woods  have  been  vocal  with  the  Redeem- 
er's praise.  These  solitary  recesses  of  nature  have  been 
visited  with  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  ^' 


,  »■* 


■Urn  ^.•nif^x: 

'¥iiiBH*3J    ■■:■ 


't    b.vt<  '%f^  i.Xt.'^ 


Through  vast  America's  continuous  1  roods, 

O'er  mbuntaio!!.  lakes,  and  pine-forn.M  solitudes,' '     '      *■ 

Where  mighty  rivers  unregarded  flc  k,  ..^^ 

And  lofty  elms  and  quivering  map'.es  grow ; 

Where  Aoe sarsonas,  beautiful  :;ad green,      •*■■■•  .'>•■■>■, 

Luxurious  rise  amidst  the  sylvan  saene ; 

Where  high  the^  Alleghany  Mountains  tronn,         ^" 

And  wide  Missouri  rolls  his  waters  brown ;  , 

Where  fh>m  his  lakes  the  sire  of  rivers  pours,^ 

Or  down  his  steeps  the  Niagara  roars ;  j,.,  ( 

The  light  of  piety  serenely  glows, 

And  makes  the  forest  blossom  as  arose.        ?    i,f.(c?.f  ;^ 

Full  many  a  cottage  in  the  deep  recess,  .     <     . 

Hail  with  delight  the  measengera  of  peace.     -*"'-'•   Vfc-n?- 

F^r  oft  beneath  the  gay  aspiring  trees,  ..  «.         ^ ,. . , 

Whose  rustling  leaves  ar6  music  to  the  breeze,         ^    '■>^  - 

The  gospers  soft  and  joyous  strains  are  beard  -,      ^; ;     j>a- 

The  freak  are  'stablish'd,  and  the  drooping  cheer'd. 


'^  The  river  Mississippi,  so  called  by  the  lodiaos. 


i   ?-■ 


V      \: 


172 


MEMOIRS  OF 


COLOHEL  BATARD  TRULY  CONVERTED  TO  OOD. 


£»'.  * 


^- 


.^, 


The  savage  Indian  bears  the  joyful  talkf 
And  buries  deep  the  murderous  toinabawl^. 
Savage  no  more.';  the  renovating  plan 
Moulds  into  love  th'  uncultivated  man. 


AloDg  the  rivers,  on  the  banks  of  the  lakes,  and  inimu> 
red  in  the  woods,  are  many  who  love  the  sound  of  the 
gospel,  and  delight  in  the  ways  of  God  ;  their  rural  life 
hinders  them  from  seeing  many  of  the  vanities  of  the 
world ;  and  the  simple  occupations  of  husbandry  fill  up 
and  occupy  their  time.   '^''^ipy^. ^m  ^m^-^^m^i..  .^i^^m 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  I  went  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  ex- 
changed with  brother  James  Mann  for  a  few  months,  du- 
ring which  time  I  laboured  upon  the  Annapolis  circuit 
with  some  pleasure,  and  I  hope  the  day  of  judgment  will 
manifest  with  some  fruit.  .-mi^mL^^m  m^i 

Prior  to  my  coming  to  Annapolis,  Colonel  Bayard,  who 
had  retired  upon  half-pay,  and  lived  on  his  estate  at  Wil- 
mot,  had  experienced  the  power  of  religion.      He  had 
been  a  man  of  pleasure,  gallantry,  and  dissipation;  and  as 
is  usually  the  case  with  such  an  infidel  in  religion,  (ha- 
ving many  Baptists  and  Methodists  in  his  neighbourhood,) 
he  sometimes  fell  into  conversation  with  them ;  at  length, 
at  the  request  of  Lawyer  A.  he  was  induced  to  read  Mr. 
Wesley's  sermons.      Light  darted  in  upon  his  benighted 
mind  ;  his  conscience  was  deeply  awakened ;  be  became  a 
true  penitent,  manifesting,  In  a  very  particular  manner, 
his  compliance  with  Bishop  Latimer's  adage :  Restitution 
or  no  remission.     Though  he  moved  in  uio  higher  circles 
of  life,  he  was  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ     Af- 
ter some  deep  and  genuine  exerciset;  of  mind,  the  conso- 
lations of  hope  visited  his  soul--.a  deep  and  universal 
change  was  apparent  in  all  his  conduct — the  man  of  gal- 


JOSHUA  MARSDBN. 


173 


SALVATION    IS   BT  ORACE. 


laotry  aod  pleasure  was  seen  a  weeping  peoiteat  at  the  feet 
of  mercy— the  proud,  dariug,  high-miuded  officer  was 
traDsformed  into  a  little  child — the  trophies  of  iaiidelitj 
were  laid  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  ;  never  did  religion  seem 
to  gain  a  greater  triumph.  O  grace,  how  great  aLc<  glo- 
rious are  thy  victories!  It  is  thine  to  briug  water  out  of 
the  rock !  It  is  thine  to  humble  the  loftiness  of  man !  If 
the  desert  become  a  garden,  or  the  lion  a  lamb,  it  is  by  thy 
power !  Thuu  canst  raise  the  serpent  to  a  seraph)  and  the 
worm  to  an  angel !  Is  the  mountain  levelled,  and  the  ab- 
ject  valley  exalted,  it  is  thy  plastic  power  that  has  per- 
formed the  stupendous  workt  By  thee  the  benighted 
mind  of  man  is  eolighteoed  t  if  peace  visit  the  distracted 
and  awakened  sinoer^s  conicience,  thou  puttest  the  cup  of 
coDsolatioo  to  bis  lips  1  Precious  truth !  "  By  grace  ye 
are  saved,  through  faith,  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it 
is  the  gift  of  God ;  not  of  works,  lest  any  man  should 
boast."  It  is  all  of  grace!  Grace  in  the  foundation! 
Grace  in  the  superstructure!  Grace  in  the  top-stone! 
This  is  the  song  of  redeemed  infants !  It  is  the  song  of 
young  men  in  Israel !  It  is  the  song  of  fathers  in  Christ ! 
Join  it,  O  my  soul ;  sing  the  blessings  of  grace!  3ing  the 
wonders  of  grace  1  Sing  the  triumphs  of  grace !  Sing,  O 
sing  to  all  eternity,  the  fountain  of  grace !  1  he  author  of 
grace !  the  Saviour!  Hallelujah !  for  llie  Lord  God 
omnipotent  reigneth !  *       >* 

Having  received  the  Lord  into  his  heart,  he  now  wished 
to  receive  the  servants  of  God  into  his  house ;  and  accor- 
dingly the  preachers,  at  his  repeated  request,  made  his 
house  one  of  the  stated  preaching  stations  of  the  circuit. 
Hi»  gay  and  high-life  friends  becaipe  deeply  oflended  at 


.  /i . 


^  :  •  v.- 


174 


MEMOIRS   OF 


BIOOTKT   A  STRONG   TRAIT   IN   SOIliS  CIiEROTMER. 


irhat  they  called  bis  meanness  of  spirit.  The  Bishop  of  Nova 
Scotia  told  him  he  could  not  come  to  see  him  as  usual,  be- 
cause he  kept  low  company.  The  Governor  rode  past  bis 
house  without  calling ;  and  my  Lady  Governess  chose  to 
be  very  witty  at  the  idea  that  the  Colonel  had  lost  his 
senses.  A  certain  Cleigyman,  offended  that  God  had  made 
the  Methodists  the  humble  instruments  of  conveying  his 
truth  to  this  great  man's  mind,  said,  His  religion  was  only 
the  half-way-house  to  Atheism  ;  while  others,  more  chari- 
tably prophesied,  he  would  run  raving  mad.  Kind  read- 
er, observe^  while  this  man  was  wicked,  an  infidel,  a 
man  of  pleasure,  a  swearing,  profane,  dashing  officer,  no 
fault  was  found  with  him  by  these  reverend  gentlemen ; 
the  worthy  Episcopus  was  not  then  above  his  company. 
But,  alas !  he  had  bocome  moral,  religious,  and  regular, 
and  witlial,  was  tainted  with  the  deadly  leaven  of  Meiho. 
dismt  so  that  he  was  no  longer  fit  company  for  pious  cler- 
gymen. God  forbid  that  a  line  of  mine  should  ever  un- 
derrate the  character  of  a  godly  minister.       ,    ,.v^,-,  .- 

I  venerate  the  man  whose  heart  J9  Tvarm ; 
■■  -j^  .^i       Whose  hands  are  pure ;  whose  doctrine,  and  whose  life  ■f'-^ii-^ 

Coincident,  exhibit  lucid  proof  .      ^ 

*"    ■■       That  he  is  honest  in  the  sacred  cause.   ■'^'^''^  *'      «''""^'''^c'  •» 
To  such  I  render  more  than  mere  respect :         -  4  . ,  jj  ,•, 
i*"        Whose  actions  s^y  that  they  respect  themselves.    ■  Cowper. 

But  when  a  minister  is  an  enemy  to  all  religion, 
except  what  flaws  through  the  medium  of  canonical  or 
high  churcli  episcopacy,  I  say,  from  such  bigotry,  narrow- 
ness, and  pride,  good  Iiord  deliver  us !  Some  of  his  I'ela- 
tions  bevged  of  him  for  God's  sake  to  think  upon  his 
military  honours,  and  not  tarnish  his  great  family  with 
such  a  low,  drivelling  thing  as  religion,  alias  Methodism. 


JOSHUA  MAR80EN. 


175 


A  DUIilTKBANCX  FHOM   A  WATEBT  OEAVE. 


The  wittj  said  he  kept  three  chaplaiof  to  praj  for  the 
jijood  ai  his  soul ;  and  the  wicked  hated  him,  because,  as  a 
magistrate,  he  put  the  lavs  io  force  agaiast  swearing  and 
sabbath-breakiDg.  So  fares  it,  O  blessed  Jesus,  with  thjr 
pure  religion !  JNTot  many  mighty,  not  many  rich,  not 
many  noble  are  called.  A  great  man  thinks  it  an  honour 
to  serve  his  king,  bis  country,  or  his  friend;  but 
weakness  to  serve  God ;  miserable  infatuation !  when 
that  which  is  our  glory  becomeij  our  shame;  and  that 
which  should  be  our  highest  honour  is  lowest  in  our  esti- 
mation. But  yet  there  are  some  lofty  in  station  possessed 
of  lowly  minds ;  some  raised  lo  opulence  and  grandeur 
who  are  nevertheless  poor  in  spirit.    •'•■*  *-  «-^  j^w^  -  r^f^*. 

In  the  fall,  as  my  dear  partner  was  very  unwell,  I  re- 
turned to  St.  John  rather  sooner  than  the  appointed  time, 
and  found  both  her  tvnd  the  little  infant  in  afflicted  and  de- 
licate situations,  from  which  they  but  slowly  recovered.  ', 

Here  I  would  not  omit  to  mention  a  providential 
deliverance ;  coming  through  Annapolis  Gut,  a  rough  and 
dangerous  place,  the  vessel  suddenly  jibed ;  and  as  I 
was  standing  upon  the  quarter-deck,  the  boom  knocked  me 
overboard.  The  vessel  was  going  about  eight  knots  an 
hour.  I  had  the  presence  of  mind  to  catch  hold  of  a  rope, 
and  by  this  means  was  saved.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  sou1> 
and  all  that  is  within  me  bless  and  magnify  his  holy  name  t 

In  the  spring  I  reciossed  tht  Bay  of  Fundy  with  my 
wife  an  .ittle  one,  and  attended  our  little  conference 
at  Horton,  from  whence  I  went  to  Halifax  to  visit  my 
wife's  parents,  and  change  with  brother  Black,  who  took 
ray  appointment  in  St.  John,  h  '  *    *!^> « 

The  following  short  letter,  written  to  Doctor  Coke,  will 


176 


MEMOIRS   OF 


ItKTTKK  TO  DOCTOE  CQKK. 


•7t 


give  fome  informatfoD  of  the  liUiatioo  of  my  vi6w«  tad 
nissioa  at  tliif  period : 

EjAraet  of  a  Utter /ram  Mr,  Joshua  Martdeni  to  thi  Rev. 

Dr.  Coke, 

^*^--  f    ''Jr-^  BalifoK,  Jmu  30,  1806. 

Dutiog  the  last  irinter  God  hatli  blfcsed  me  ntueh  in 
my  soul  and  labours.  Twelve  or  tbirtdes  were  added  to 
eur  little  societj  m  the  city  Saint  Jobp  gome  of  these 
found  die  peari  of  great  price  6uf'm$  tbo  winter  «nd 
spring,  and  others  are  earnestly  seeking  »alvat1<«f«,  Bkii- 
ed  be  God,  I  have  been  enabled  to  labour  with  nil  my 
might,  and  hare  found  my  heart  swe«>lty  fi»|';if e4  io  the 
Lord's  work.  Many  precious  seasorw  hnvt}  I  hiul  during 
a  cold  and  tedious  winter.  Our  covooant  meeting  was 
one  of  the  best  I  ever  witnessed  in  all  my  life.  The  pow- 
er of  the  Lord  was  present  in  a  very  remarkable  mtittnieT) 
and  many  hearts  became  like  melting  wax  before  the  fire, 
At  brother  M*Coirs  place  (Schodock)  a  few  were  awak- 
ened and  converted,  and  there  was  a  geRerat  qukkeoiog 
among  the  old  professors.  I  am  now  at  Halifax,  Mipplyiog 
the  place  of  brother  Black  for  two  or  three  monthf.  Re^ 
ligion  does  not  seem  to  flourliih  much  hem.  Of  late,  how< 
ever,  there  is  a  bett^'v  prospect  than  there  bad  been  for 
some  time :  as  the  few  that  had  separated  are  once  more 
united  to  us,  and  I  -:  ^lieve  thei;  reuoioa  will  be  attended 
with  the  hap;»ie8t  el^-Jts. 

Dear  Sir,  although  labouring  in  this  cotttHry,  duf  ing  the 
very  severe  and  tedious  winters,  is  trying  and  painful ; 
yet  I  have  never  repented  engaging  lo  the  ntiiiiofl.  Tlie 
Lord  hath  been  exceedingty  good  to  me,  as  Uflworthy 


.TOftHVA   MARSETSN. 


177 


CROBSINO   T'  E   BAT— OLOWN  ON    OCR  BEAM-ENDB. 


worm,  io  proportioniog  017  strength  to  my  day,  and  I 
inuBt  testify  to  the  honour  of  his  goodness,  I  have  experi- 
enced the  fulfilment  of  his  premises  in  so  remarkable  a 
manner,  that  I  should  be  the  most  ungrateful  of  men  if  I 
did  not  love,  praise,  and  glorify  him.  If  it  shall  appear 
at  the  day  of  judgment,  that  but  one  soul  has  been  finally 
saved  through  my  preaching,  it  will  be  a  rich  compensa- 
tion for  all  my  toils  in  this  cold,  barren  wilderness.  But, 
blessed  be  God,  I  know  that  he  hath  plucked  many  brands 
out  of  the  burning  by  means  of  ray  unworthy  laboars. 
I  cannot,  indeed,  say  that  I  have  my  quiver  full  of  them : 
ray  unfaithfulness  has  deprived  me  of  that  honour,  as  well 
as  of  many  other  blessings.  O  that  I  may  be  more  zeal- 
ous and  diligent  for  the  time  to  come  ! 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 

After  spending  a  profitable  summer  at  Halifax,  I  return- 
ed in  the  fall  by  the  way  of  Annapolis,  stopping  in  our 
way  to  see  our  worthy  friend  Colonel  Bayard,  with  whom 
we  tarried  about  a  week,  and  still  found  him  full  of  faith, 
zeal,  christian  simplicity,  and  loving  meekness.  Crossing 
from  Annapolis  to  New-Brunswick  in  the  Digby  packet, 
we  met  a  violent  squall,  which  blew  the  vessel  upon  her 
beam-ends,  and  brought  her  mainsail  down  into  the  water. 
The  sea  poured  down  the  cabin-door  like  a  torrent :  the 
women  in  the  cabin  were  greatly  terrified  ;  my  mind  was 
kept  in  peace;  and  in  a  little  while,  the  squall  being  over, 
she  righted,  and  we  arrived  safely  among  our  old  friends, 
and  to  our  old  habitation  in  St.  John.  For  some  time  my 
mind  had  been  deeply  pained  at  the  little  growth  of  the 
society  in  the  city-*but  this  fall,  at  a  day  set  ajisrt  for 


\    r- 


im 


MEMOIRS   OF 


A  REVIVAL  or   RELIGION   Iff  8T.   JOHN 


fasting  and  prayer,  the  Lord  gave  us  a  tokeo  tor  good ; 
and  in  the  following  winter  made  bare  his  holy  arm  in  a 
most  singular  and  blessed  manner. 

I  had  gone,  as  usual,  to  visit  that  part  of  tny  circuit 
that  lay  up  the  river  St.  John,  leaving  the  society  iq 
charge  of  the  leaders,  and  urother  M'Leod,  a  worthy  lo- 
cal preacher.  They  t.ppointed  a  watch-night,  at  which 
some  special  tokens  of  the  divine  power  and  presence 
were  manifested.  In  a  little  while  several  children  were 
afiected  with  a  lively  concern  for  the  salvation  of  their 
souls.  A  few  young  people,  of  both  sexes,  got  under 
awakenings.  At  this  time  I  arrived  from  the  river,  and 
found  the  town  almost  in  an  uproar;  some  wondering 
whereunto  this  would  grow ;  sonie  condemning  the  whole 
as  enthusiasm  and  delusioq ;  and  others  requesting  that  I 
would  put  a  stop  to  the  dangerous  wildfire  that  still  spread 
in  every  direction. 

There  were  irregularities,  it  is  true,  but  who  ever  saw  a 
gcfiuine  revival  of  religion  without  them  ?  They  may 
come  under  the  following  heads:  1.  The  opposition  of 
the  wicked  and  mere  moralists :  These  first  create  disturb- 
ance, and  then  lay  it  at  the  door  of  the  work  of  God.  2. 
The  untcmpered  zeal  of  some  warm  spirits,  that  would 
condemn  and  anathematize  all  who  do  not  immediately  ^ee 
through  their  eyes :  They  have  no  patience  with  the  wicked, 
and  fall  upon  them  with  as  little  mercy  as  Sampson  showed 
the  Philistines.  3.  The  subjects  of  the  work  themselves : 
some  prayinfr»  others  shouting,  some  weeping,  others  re- 
joicing, a  number  praying  at  one  time  ;  shouting,  praying, 
sino;ir)g,  weeping,  exhorting,  all  blended  together,  certainly 
presents  a  strong  resemblance  of  confusiion.    But  the  point 


JOSHUA  UARSDEN. 


17^ 


BOW  THE  GRACIOUS  WORK  BSOAK. 


ig,  are  God's  thottghts  upoa  these  things  as  our  thoughts  ? 
Upon  the  whole,  I  believe  there  have  been  few  revivals  of 
pure  religion  with  less  irregularity.  A  Icttev  I  wrote  at 
the  time  vill  givf  as  true  and  sample  a  copy  of  the  work 
as  I  cou.ddr^w;  ftud  I  wiU.therefi^re  present  iltojhe 

reader.  '^^^'^'■iy^-i^»'>y^iSfh.^(»fi.s4-^iU  t'3«- V|  --l^, 

PROM    MU.    JOSHUA    MARSDEN  TO    MR.    BKNSON.    -  ''  ' 

Otif  St.  Johrif  New-Brunswick,  Marca  25,  1807. 


'••'■•W^  *-4'i  "" 


DEAR  da,  .;.■■..  /'l. '■      -^"■,;"v'" 

I  am  happy  that  it  is  in  my  power  to  send  you  a  plea- 
sing account  of  the  work  of  God  in  this  formerly  barren 
part  of  the  universe.  For  some  time  religion  was  at  a 
stand  in  this  and  the  neighbouring  province.  It  is  true,  a 
few  now  and  then  were  added  to  the  people  of  God,  to 
supply  the  places  of  those  who  emigrated  to  other  parts ; 
but  no  particular  revival  of  true  piety  bad  taken  place  in 
this  country  till  this  winter.  About  a  month  ago,  the 
Lord  began  to  pour  out  his  Holy  Spirit  upon  us  in  a  re- 
markable manner,  shaking  the  kingdom  of  darkness  in 
many  hearts,  so  that  alarm  and  distrrss  became  visible  in 
the  faces  of  numbers,  and  a  cry  was  heard,  What  shall  I 
do  to  be  saved?  This  blessed  work  is  still  continued,  and 
prevails  chiefly  among  young  people  ol  both  sexes,  though 
a  few  more  advanced  in  years  have  been  brought  into 
deep  distress,  and  now  enjoy  glorious  gospd  liberty.  Some 
stout-hearted  sinners  have  been  awakened,  und  a  number 
of  little  children,  both  boys  and  girls,  have  been  evidently 
changed  by  the  po>ver  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  About  seven- 
ty persons  have  joined  the  society,  and  perhaps  there  are 
mot  fewer  than  thirty  more  linger  slight  awakenings,  or 


1«0 


MEMOIRS    OF    ■'"- 


UATAH'I   KMII8ARIEB  TUT   TO    HINDCII. 


deep  convict  ns.  Curiosity,  or  similar  motives,  bring 
many  to  the  i  xetii^,  when  either  the  cries  of  a; '  distres- 
sed, or  the  exhortations  of  such  as  have  iately  found 
peace  vrilh  God,  touch  their  hearts ;  and  frequently,  from 
gazing  and  mocking,  they  are  brought  to  solemnity  and 
grief.  Some  who  have  come  with  the  professed  design  of 
ridiculing  this  work  of  God,  have  been  struck  down,  and 
constrained  to  ciy  for  mercy  and  salvation  in  the  most 
heart-piercing  manner.  A  few  have  been  set  at  liberty  un- 
der the  word,  yet  the  work  has  been  chiefly  carried  on  in 
prayer-meetings,  to  which  numbers  resort,  and  will  not  go 
away  till  a  very  late  hour.  Early  this  morning,  two 
young  men  came  to  my  house,  and  no  sooner  had  I  open- 
ed the  door  than  they  both  fell  upon  their  knees,  begging 
earnestly  that  X  would  pray  for  them ;  I  commended  their 
case  to  the  Lord  in  prayer,  and  then  exhorted  and  encou- 
raged them  ic>  look  to  Jesus  for  a  present  salvation.  One 
was  m\<A\  coiiforted,  but  the  other  went  away  in  deep  dis- 
li-ess.  Not  d  day  passes  but  I  hear  of  three  or  four  that 
are  struck  lo  the  heart ;  and  scarcely  is  there  a  meeting 
but  some  join  the  society.  Indeed,  it  appears  to  me,  that 
if  the  work  continue,  all  the  young  people  in  the  place 
will  turn  to  God.  ^ 

In  this  situation  of  things,  you  may  naturally  supp6se, 
that  the  enemy  of  souls  h  not  idle,  but  endeavours  to  sup- 
port his  falling  kingdom.  But,  glory  be  to  God,  all  his 
stratagems  have  hitherto  failed.  Much  opposition  has 
been  made  to  this  work.  Calumny  and  blasphemy,  scrip- 
ture and  ridicule,  promises  and  menaces,  have  all  been 
employed:  but,  thank  God,  without  success.  Nothing 
can  equal  the  firmness  of  the  ][oun^  converts.    Tbe^  stand 


easious  s 


JOHHIM    MAIItDRif. 


181 


rijT  .-J.-        .-     ,.     .^.^.^fr- 


riiBAiiNo  cHAnoK  tn  tmh  crrr. 


uoBhaken,  though  almott  every  engine  of  hell  has  beeu 
made  use  of  to  cause  them  to  itagger  and  turn  aside  from 
the  good  way.     The  maglitrati'f  aud  principal  inhabitants 
cannot  deny  but  there  i«  t  great  change  in  the  place  for 
the  better;  as  many  of  the  young  men,  who  are  subjects  of 
tbb  work,  were  once  both  looie  in  their  prinripU-^,  and  ir- 
regular in  their  practice!.    But  they  are  ••■w  crea- 
ture's, and  one  can  hardly  go  through  a  st  Uttle 
city,  without  hearing  the  voice  of  praise                g  the 
young  men  assembling  together  for  prayei.     v^  lat  ap- 
pears to  me  a  pleasing  circumitauce  is,  that  several  of  the 
young  men  have  very  promising  gifts  both  for  prayer  and 
exhortation,  which,  if  piously  improved,  may  render  them 
truly  useful  at  a  future  time.      It  would  astonish  you  to 
hear  with  what  propriety  youths  of  Afteen  or  sixteen  years 
of  «ge,  pour  out  their  souls  to  Ood  in  prayer.     The  fer- 
vency of  their  spirits,  the  evangellcalness  of  their  language, 
and  the  solemnity  of  their  manner,  tend  not  a  little  to  im- 
press the  minds  of  such  as  hear  thorn,  and  promote  the 
work.    Some  Imve  been  awakened  by  hearing  the  pray- 
ers of  children,  while  others  have  been  ready  to  say,  that 
we  put  words  into  their  mouthsi  and  teach  them  how  to  ex- 
press themselves  in  their  prayers.  ^  .,^^^1 

Our  little  chapel  is  so  crowded,  that  you  can  scarcely 
see  any  thing  but  human  heads ;  and  the  meetings  are  so- 
lemn beyond  any  thing  seen  in  this  place  for  a  long  time. 
Often,  towards  the  conclusion,  a  cry  for  mercy  begins, 
which  spreads  from  one  to  another  till  the  union  of  the  voi- 
ces of  those  who  are  either  praykig,  crying,  or  rejoicing, 
forms  what  worldly  people  call  confusion.  On  these  oc- 
eaaions  some  are  brought  to  taste  that  the  Lord  isgraeiou^ 

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WIBSTeR.N.Y.  US80 

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WHAT  tMOTlMa  A'  WOtK  OJ  OOD  CAUSES. 


Si- 


few  days,  cab  alto  [^ffllfiie  a^  8ili-pfiFddrdag''i}bd;  Most 
that  f  have  d<:^ely  exatfiinfed;  f^  a' pretty  cteitt  abccmot 
of  beiog  ciit  tb^  the  heait  fbt  ttid ;  ftsel  thftnkfaltftis^  that 
thiey  are  not  in  h^II ;  seig  Uieilr  need  of  a  Satibuf,  aad  are 
coDviheed  tbfef  oAilstldad  a' new  life  or  be  iMt  Hietice 
thisry  are  led  t6  iiliplore  forglvenett  throti^  thh  Redeem- 
er*8  blood,  and  grn^^e  to  help  tb^ih OQiheity^Af  tb  K^ven. 
What  makes  this  appear  the  mbre  ridgalar  td  sotnti  well- 
minded  pfeopte,  is  the  order  atid  stillriess  whlcli^  Were  ob- 
served ij^  the  meetings  prior  to  this  period:  'B^ttcc  some 
Who  once  thought  well  of  us,  now  take  the  ahdm  ttt  wha^ 
they  think  enthUSiasnk.  A  revival  of  rel^totf  is  like  Ithn^ 
riel^s  spear:  it  niakes  persons  assutii'e  their  prd^ier  shape 
Knd  character,  and  shdWis  the  carnal  mtnd  in  its  natite  and 
undisguised  eoieurS.  Our  meetings  are  beeome  the  com- 
mon topic  of  conversation.  Some  wonder,  some  mock, 
some  acknowledge  the  power  of  God;  and'  severail,  not  in 
society,  defend  the  cause  to  the  utmost  of  their  power. 
But  as  yet  none  of  the  Rulers  Udve  hetievedon  him*  The 
giood  that  is  done  is  chiefly  i^ong  the  poor  and  middling 
classes  of  people. 

Since  this  quickening  began,  there  has  been  a  continual 
cry  for  books,  especially  hymn-books.  It  would  be  a  work 
of  mercy  indeec^  if  some  of  our  rich  friends  at  home 
would  send  us  two  or  three  hundred  pamphlets  i^nd  little 
hymn  books.  lit  pains  mo  to  the  heart  that  I  have  not 
books  to  distribute  among  the  young  converts,  as  many  of 
them  will  be  in  danger  from  seducing  spintii  and  that  doc» 
trlde  of  devils,  Jntinomianismi  I  have  sometimes  feared 
^iat'tbe  woritof  God  among  the  Methodists  would  come 


;«*- 


#08litrA  utAwnitJK. 


Mis 


ae 


-fmU 


A  KX«t7B8T  TC  KSETVIIIT  HOMfe. 


mmai^^l^mm 


t^iiblhing  iti'tlifar  pittvioe^  Itf  ii#  I  am  ^ayandaDtly  ci* 
eooNiged';  v/iy  heiBlrf  dimcer  when'f  see  the  youngs  eoo^ 
yierts  crtiwdlog  td^themecitfbgi^  orirheal  bear  chedn  de- 
elai«  tlieir'etperienee  in  fhfr  things  of  God,  in  a  manner 
ivhidi  ircHlKiff^  clear,  simple,  and  aflfecthig;^ 

TBfe  lltOe  town  coritliinr  about  two  thousand  inteibitantB. 
^here  h  a  neitt  BoglSsH  church  in  itv  besides  our  HttlV 
chapel,  which  is*  old;  ruinous^,  and'  inconvenient :  and  at 
die  most;  it  wilinot  hold  dbtrte  four  hundred'  and  fifty' 
people.  Because  of  the  War  and  other  thtngs  our  Mends: 
have  hitherto  been  too  poor  to  bliild'  a  laiiger.  But  if  the^ 
liord  eontlMie'  to  carry  on  his  wOrk  among  u%  I  trust  we 
sbaiisee  a  conlfortable  house  ei-ected,  and  ibe  oM,  itdnous' 
one  phUed  down. 

I  have  now  been  seven  years  id  this  country,  and  if  con^ 
sistent  with  my  duty,  would  wishi  in  about  twelve  moothsi 
to  return  home;  not  that  I  am  tired  of  a  missionary  life: 
no,  blessed  be  6t)d,  f  am  determined  to  spend  my  strength 
and  my  all  in  the  cause  of  Jesus ;  but  my  healtii  has  suffered, 
and  does  suffer  daily.  The  extremely  cold  winters  affect 
ihy  breast  in  a  very  painful  manner,  and  render  me  some- 
times quite  unable  to  undergo  the  toils  of  my  mission;  yet, 
by  the  blessing  <tf  God^  I  have  seidorik  tliuched,  though 
sometimes  the  coilsequeuces  have  been  very  painlui.  (a 
the  dischaiige  of  my  duty  I  have  had  many  discourage* 
ments,  both  from  within  and  without ;  l^ut  what  I  havo. 
seen  this  month  past,  more  than  recompenses  me  for  all  my 
difficulties.  The  life  of  a  misuonary  in  such  a  climate  as 
this  is  both  difficult  and  laborious.  But  the  presence  of 
Jiesus  can  sweeten  every  toil,  and  make  the  wilderness 
blossom  as  a  rose^    One  of  our  principal  difficulties  arises 


M4 


MBMOIEB  or 


rsCULUk  ^EATUEM  OF  THK  WOHI  Or  ttOD. 


fecm  our  being  too  weak  handed,  too  far  leparftted  from 
each  other.    Heuce»  our  labours,  for  waot  of  being  second- 
ed and  continued,  have  Bometimei  failed  of  lucceii.    O 
for  more  young  men  of  steady  zeal,  unwearied  patience, 
and  active  lives  1    Then  we  might  expect  to  see  more 
fruit,  and  more  ilourishiDg  societies.    We  are  only  six 
preachers  in  this  immense  tract  of  wilderoeis,  and  if  Mr. 
Black  go  to  Bermuda,   our    number  will  be  reduced. 
This  circuit,  of  which  the  little  city  above-meotioued  is 
the  head,  extends  more  than  one  hundred  miles  toward 
Canada,  and  there  is  no  preacher  but  myself  to  supply  it. 
I  should  esteem  a  line  from  you,  or  any  of  our  London, 
friends,  a  great  favour.    In  the  mean  time»  may  the  Lord' 
direct  you  in   the  great  work  of  saving  souli»  and  make 
your  life  holy  and  happy.. 

This,  dear  Sir,  is  the  prayer  of  your  unworthy  son  is, 
the  gospel, 

. ,      JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


■-ir 


k" 


This  revival  had  two  or  three  cV-'acters  in  it  that  may 
be  profitable  to  mention :  1.  It  v  Jiiefly  among  young 
people  and  children.  Kearly  eighty  of  the  former,  and 
twenty  of  the  latter  were  made  the  subjects  of  divine  in* 
fluence.  2.  God  made;^  ihe  children  great  means  in  his 
hand  of  the  work.  Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  suck- 
lings  thou  shall  perfect  praise.  Some  of  these  would  ex- 
hort for  two  hours  in  a  series,  with  such  clearness  and 
power  as  astonished  the  bystanders.  3.  There  were  none 
of  the  rich  and  great  awakened.  That  passage  w^,  in 
part,  verified— They  shall  all  know  the  Lord,  from  the 
least  to  the  greatest.    Thus  the  work  often  begins  with  the 


1.       <,  rii*'-     ...         ,V!,'C 


JOSHUA  ITARflDEIf . 


Its 


:.-f r  -rmsm 


MCXTINOB  COSTIltOED  THftOVOS  TBS  COLD  NIORTS. 

■:■        i.,''i'ii'i    'i:    -r  'fi   I    -n  II   '    III  1  I      ■  nn  ,  i  ;i'rMnjAa 

pdor*;  and  tbe  rich,  if  nved,  ate  |^ad  to  follow  their  er* 
ample.  By  this  God  staiiis  the  pride  of  man,  and  shows 
how  little  he  esteeois  the  glitter  of  wealth,  aod  the  pooip 
of'^prandeur;  4.  There  Was  little  shouting,  dapping  of 
hands,  or  wild-fittt^  God  gave  me  ringutar  lib^rtjr  So  de» 
Uverio^  a  series  of  sermoni,  explasatoiy  of  thie  first  exer* 
eises  of  gracious  souls^  especially  when  und^  awal[eniiig% 
labouring  to  be  justified  by  the  law,  and-  partieularl)^ 
when  coming  to  Christ  for  pardon  and  reconciliation.  Oo'- 
these  occasioiis  the  cbiipel  was  crowded;  and  frequently  i 
solemn  and  afrectiBg  sensii  of  the  preseneeof  €KNi  rested 
upon  th^  assembly.  There  were  indeed  modttiir  iMtt 
they  were  greatly  overawed;  5,  The  outward  profane* 
Dcss  of  the  streets^  cspeoleAly  in  the  night,  waa  greatly 
checked^  and  an  air  of  morality  was,  in  «ooie  degree}  vJsif 
bf6  through  the  town.  Theptoiid  oppoBer0could\Mtd)eDy 
but  a  great  change  had  taken  {dace  ih  manypefsona^but 
they  ascribed  it  to  any  tfaSfig^  except'  the  true  cause.  0. 
One  of  the  principal  opposefis  of  the  work  came  to  no- 
thiflg^,  and  was  ob1%ed  to  fly  Hie  tO¥^  in  disgrace.  7. 
The  old  professors  wer6  much  quickened  andsthrred  up; 
bickerings  were  done  away,  and  love  and  barmdny  more 
abundantly  prevailed.  The  meetings,  (though  in  the  depth 
of  winter,  dismally  cold,  the  ground  two  feet  deep  in: 
snow,)  were  sometimes  continued  all  night;  and  I  have  re- 
peated the  benediction  once  or  twice  without  btehig  able  to 
prevail  on  the  people  to  dismiss.  Several  subjects  of  tlie 
work  hiid  been  wild,  wicked,  and  profane  young  men ; 
hence  the  change  in  their  conduct  shone  with  a  visible 
evidence.     Id  fiQe^  most  of  those  awakened  continued 


'^i'. 


ltd 


MBMOIRS   OF 


E*> 


■■«fe 


A  MINISTBR  ALITI  TO  OOD  WIBb  NOT  FIXL  BIS  WORK  IRKBOME. 

faithful,  steftdy  niemben  during  my  coutinuaDGe  id  the 
city. 

During  the  ensuing  summer,  I  set  myself  to  mske  col- 
lieiStioDs  for  a  new  chapel,  as  the  place  was  too  strait  for 
III,  and  made  a  tour  through  the  other  province  for  this 
purpose.  This  was  a  laborious  time.  I  collected  money, 
worked  at  the  building  with  my  own  hands,  and  performed 
aH  the  other  duties  of  my  mission ;  preaching  four  or  five 
tiroes  every  week;  holding  prayer-meetings,  meeting  class- 
es, and  various  other  duties.  But  I  am  persuaded,  that  a 
minister's  work  will  never  be  a  drudgery,  while  he  has  the 
spirit  of  his  office,  and  possesses  a  single  eye  to  the  glory 
of  God.  » 

Having^  now.  laboured  in  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Bruns- 
wick nearly  eight  years;  travdled  many  thousand  miles, 
qoth  in  rain,  firost,  and  snow,  from  one  end  of  the  peninsu- 
la to  the  other;  from  Annapolis  to  the  gulfof  St  Lawrence, 
and  from  the  Bay  of  Fundy  to.  Halifax,  After  having 
been  stationed  at  the  following  places ;  Cumberland  and 
Westmoreland,  Halifax,  St.  John,  Annapolis,  Liverpool, 
I  requested  to  return  to  £ngland ;  and  in  the  fall  of  1 807, 
I  received  the  following  answer  to  my  letter,  from  the 
Bev.  Joseph  Benson,  requesting  me  to  go  and  spend  a  lit- 
tle while,  and  try  to  establisli  a  mission  in  Bermuda, 


New  Chapeti  City  Rood;  Ijandan,  Oct,  6tft,  1807. 


JMY  DEAR  BROTHER. 


I  was  much  obliged  by  your  letter  of  March  25th  last, 
especially  as  it  contained  so  pleasing  on  account  of  the 
work  of  God  in  the  city  St.  John.    I  judged  your  letter 


W'  '■''\l'  'i:Tf'f?V^ 


JfOgHVA  MAR8DKN. 


187 


aas 


THE  AIT.  HI.  BBII80V*8  bCTTIR. 


flo  important)  that  I  immediately  caused  it  to  be  inserted 
in  the  Magazine  for  July,  which  we  were  then  printing. 
Since  tlien  we  have  had  similar  accounts  of  an  eztraordi* 
nary  revival  at  Liverpool^  and  some  other  parts  of  Nova 
Scotia.  These  are  published  also  in  our  Magazine  for 
this  month,  (October,)  and  I  doubt  not,  will  be  highly 
pleasing  to  all  that  are  concerned  for  the  progress  of  the 
gospel.  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Brunswick  have  been  so 
long  comparatively  barren,  being  overrun  with  Antinomi- 
anism,  and  other  destructive  errors,  that  this  remarkable 
awakening  is  as  welcome  and  consoling  as  it  is  unexpected, 
and  must  greatly  encourage  the  subscribers  to  the  Missions, 
.as,  I  am  persuaded,  it  does  the  missionaries  themselves. 
I  hope  great  prudence  and  care  will  be  used  in  watching 
over  the  ^ouls  t^at  |iave  been  gained,  as  well  as  every 
proper  effort  to  extend  the  work  still  further.  And,  I 
trust,  if  the  missionaries  in  these  parts  be  zealous,  active, 
«9d  diligent,  at  the  same  time  that  they  are  humble,  meek, 
and  devoted  to  God,  the  Lord  will  show  that  this  is  but 
the  dawn  of  a  glorious  day  in  that  remote  part  of  the 
British  empire. 

:i.  I  can  easily  believe  you,  my  brother,  when  you  speak 
of  the  hardships  you  have  endured,  and  that  the  extreme 
cold  winters  have  affected  your  breast  I  am  sure  the 
life  of  a  missionary,  as  you  observe,  must  be  very  difficult 
and  daogerousi  in  such  a  climate  as  Nova  Scotia ;  but, 
the  Lord  has  already  amply  recompensed  you^  by  giving 
you  to  see  such  bl<*88ed  fruit  of  your  labours  $  and  will  re- 
compense you  (nuch  more  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just.— 
The  Conference  would  wjllingly  have  consented  to  your 
coming  home  next  year,  but  as  you  signified  that  you  w^re 


■i  ■ 


rmMMOULBOt 


■eBBSB: 


Rsaa 


•wtUloiif  to;«pcDd.M>iBe  tine  At  Bennuda ;  lui  ypu  nilL  i^  bj 
tbe>lllii(mtfli  they  have  apiiointed  you  to  tbat  I«||a^  JSvr  tjie 
^pi«geit; 'IwUieviDg  tliatit  !•  a  vciy  I&el7.t4^ 
^tMatioo  ef  jii»ur  beaiftb,  AQdrihUt  yen  ^ill  be  veiy  uiel'ul 
4KTe  in  tlie'Lonfo  fvimymiA*  AAxfipti^tjoimAryMinM 
we  Mv«^hiid  Iroai  tlfere,  inaDy.  of  the  IcdiabHuits  iuiYe  it 
.great  dstkeM  liear  the  word^  'tod  (lier&lii  -a;  gnat;  opeuisg 
<ibr  the  gospel,,  and  a  pmspect  of  doiof^iifiiGK  good.  *I  iball 
he  y&ry  glad  of  a  few  lines  from  yoiv  both  before  jam  sail 
loir  Bennttda^  and  alter  you  arrive  there.  Fiayiqg  that 
the  Lord  would  both  support  you,  aiid  bless  your  labours 


in  bisiwork, 


m. 


1  remain,. 

Y^r  vexy  affectionate  Brother, 

JOSEPH  Bl^NSON. 


'     At  the  same  time,  I  received  a  letter  from  the  Secre- 
tary bfttie  MisBiooS,  with  another  from  Jpr  Coke,  to  Hie 
Isame  piurportl 

(to  MR.  JOSHUA  aiA.BSDEN.)  ,     , 

i.  ■  w  *■  V     V  <    ■   ■ 

,HTTXRT  DEAB.«aOTHER,  ^  .       .  i  lll3;T, 

X  9m^  in-the  midst  of  the  hurry  of  Canference  busineM. 

jYpn  soe  by  the,f»[^lo8ed  MWteaithat  you  are  appoioted 

^-foiHBeiHpiiida.>  'Sjet-offas  soonvna  you  possibly  can,  and 

flr«kw  on  itifv  Irote  t|me  to  tbite  ibt  Vhat  you  want,  M  the 

Rev.  Robert  Lomas's,  New^  Chaftel^  CitjEosid,  Xjooddo. 

If  I  can;  get  anotber  copy,**  for  the  printer  is  about  dlhi 


•♦',;*■ 


M?^ 


«. 


I 


J08BUA  MAHSSS^. 


(.BTTBK  SSbAVnrS  TO  TBB  ■KRVODA  MISBIOir. 

work,  I  will  write  to  brottier  Black,  to  whom  I  beg  1117 
loTCf  M  well  as  to  all  the  other  preachos.  Ood  blev  joi^ 
I  am,  Ter]r  dear  brother!  — 

Toon,  affiectioDately  and  faitbfiilly, 

THOMAS  COKE. 
P.  S.  The  ship  is  expected  to  sail  earlj  to-morrow,  and 
it  is  oow  nine  at  night. 

Extract  cf  a  LetUr  fnum  Mr^Joshua  Marsdatf  to  tht 

Rev,  Dr.  Coke. 

C»j  8t  John.  New-Bruanriek,  Nov.  18,  IIOT 

Ret.  AMD  DEAR  Sib, 
TovB  letter,  and  one  from  the  misslbnaiy  committee; 
came  to  hand  yesterday,  in  consequence  of  which  I  have 
begun  to  arrange  my  aflbirs,  and  get  all  things  m  readiness 
for  my  removal  to  Bermuda.     I|ad  your  letter  come  U^ 
hand  eight  weeks  ago,  I  might  now  have  been  in  Kew- 
Tork,  on  my  way  {  but  as  the  season  is  far  advanced,  I 
may  probably  meet  with  some  impediments.    However,  I 
ihall,  by  the  blessing  of  Ood,  do  my  endeavour  to  get 
thither  as  speedily  as  possible.     When  I  thf  k  of  the  for- 
lorn condition  of  the  BermudianS)  my  heart  Ipogfc  to  be 
with  them,  to  preach  the  precious  gospel  of  my  Lord  and 
Master  in  that  Island.     O  that  the  God  of  Abraham  may 
lend  me  good  speed,  and  prepare  the  people  for  the  re^ 
ceptkm  of  hia  dear  Son's  gospel,  and  that  you  may  have 
cause  to  rejoice  in  the  happy,  issue  of  your  exertions  to 
supply  Bermuda  with  a  missionary.     I  have  written  to 
request  Mr.  Black  to  send  Mr.  Bennet  to  St.  John,  and 
also  to  consult  him  respecting  the  best  method  of  fiiUilliog 
your  requeiti  and  getting  as  soon  as  possible  to  the  place 


r'*- 


110 


HBICOIBS  OV 


LirT  NOTA  NOriA  WIT!  aAKAT  KIOMBT. 

^fmj  appolotiiMoU  I  ■hall  write  to  yom  ag«iii»  perfaapi, 
»t  JSTtw  York,  or,  At  kut,  oi  mod  m  I  arrivo  tX  Bemn- 
di»  MeaowhUe,  1  thould  be  glad  if  you  woiMd  be  to  good 
at  to  write  to  Bermudm  and  Jet  the  finendf  there  know 
that  a  preacher  if  on  bis  waj  to  them. 
With  regard  to  thii  city,  the  work  jt  not  lo  Uv^y  as  it 

.:  iraf  io  tho  ipring.  Indeed  I  have  been  called  away  fton 
ibeqDi  much  thia  aummer,  both  up  the  river  and  likewise 
lo  the  head  of  the  Bi^  of  Fundy.  By  the  hleMiog  of 
God,  however,  moat  of  ihoie  that  were  awakened  lact 
March,  ataod  firm  aa  a  rock,  and  wrik  humbly  aod  closely 
."With  Ood.  The  people  are  much  grieved  and  discouraged 
pt.  my  leaving  then,  but  I  hope  brother  Beonet,  who  is 
much  boloved  here^  will  movf  than  supply  my  place.  | 
sequeit  an  iotereat  in  your  prayera  for  myself  and  for  the 

,  Lord's  l)leMhig  upon  my  mission.  liiy  desire  is  to  die  ta 
all  things,  and  to  live  only  to  the  gtory  of  Jehovah  Jesus. 
Your  joumala  have,  of  late  beeu  a  great  comfort  and  spur 
to  my  mind.  May  the  good  Lord  quicken  me  a  thousand 
fold  more,  and  make  a  poor  worm  useful  in  his  vineyard. 

I  am.  Sir,  -M^U 

Tour  unworthy  son  in  the  Gospel,  #<  ^ 

JOSHUA  MARSDBIf. 


"51 


V I  would  dlierve,  that  while  in  Nova  Scotia,  I  had  re- 
.^ved  so  maigr  tokens  of  the  unfeigned  kindness  of  the 
people,  that  I  could  oot  but  leave  ii  with  deep  regret  I 
WQiild  particularly  observe,  that  in  Westmoreland.circuit, 
T  received  many  kindnesses  from  Mr.  William  Truemsa 
and  family,  in  whose  house  I  had  the  severe  afflictioo 
mentioned  above;  where  I  was  nursed  by  sister  Truemap 


JOBItVA.  MARtDtN. 


Id2 


s«sa 


rilCRDS  Wao-TUAtCD  Ml  WIT!  llltOVLAB  CIHDNMI. 


asiB 


with  th«  tenderneM  of  a  mother.    In  the  same  couotj  Mr. 
Wt]kt  John  and  WilHam  Faucet,  Mr.  Keaeh,  Sqtt<ref 
Dizoo  aod  Roath,  with  a  number  of  others,  were  verj  kind. 
f  would  also  meotionmy  obligations  to  Squire  Ratchford, 
and  Mr.  Shannon,  at  Parsborough.     I  shall  not  readlljr 
forget  Uie  kindness  of  a  number  of  families  and  individuals 
h  Halifiiz,  particularly  Messrs.  Anderson,  Davis,  Sea- 
bury,  Nock,  and  their  families ;  with  a  number  more, 
whose  names,  I  trust,  are  in  th^  book  of  life.    In  Liver* 
pool,  I  would  gratefully  acknowledge  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
Newton,  Colonel  Perkins,  Squire  Thomas,  Mr.  Robert 
Barry,  and  Mr.  Rirk.  While  I  laboured  oh  the  Annapolis 
eirciilt,  the  kindness  of  Colonel  Bayard  made  a  deep  im- 
pression on  my  mind ;  Messrs.  Bent,  Spur,  Rice,  Bonet, 
and  a  number  of  others,  merit  my  thanks.    At  St.  John, 
Bir.  John  Ferguson,   Hanibrd  MKee,  brother  BrLeod, 
brother  Blair,  Mr.  Henry  Hennigar,  and  several  others, 
deserve  my  gratitude.    In  fine,  I  received  so  many  kind- 
nesses in  Nova  Scotia,  that  it  would  perhaps  be  as  hard  to 
mirhber  them  as  the  grains  in  a  handful  of  sand.     People 
m  England  and  the  United  States,  have  by  no  meam 
a  just  opinion  of  thh  fine  country ;  capable^  I  have  no 
doubt,  of  supplying  th^  wants  of  several  millions  of  inhabit- 
ants.    It  is  true,  the  winters  are  severely  cold;  but  in  a 
country  whose  lattiudie  U  only  44  deg.  N.  this  difficulty 
will  be  obvi^ed,  as  the  land  is  cleared,  and  the  woodf 
(which  are  nurseries  for  immense  quantities  of  snow)  are 
ciitdown.    Few  countries  enjoy  greater  privileges  than 
the  British  provinces  in  North  America;  they  have  no 
tiaes,  hardly  any  poor-rates,  plenty  of  civil  and  religious 
lUferty.    They  pay  no  tithes,  have  a  good  market  for 


"*i*rw* 


16^ 


MEMoiit  or 


ITATB  or  aMMVDA  WBBS  I  ARIITBO. 


their  |nroduce,  tod  the  poor  exceeding  high  wages  for 
their  labour.  Land  it  reaiODable,  proyiikHif  ake  cheap; 
in  abort,  I  know  not  a  better  country  in  the  whole  world 
for  a  poor  fanner,  or  an  honest  and  industrious  labourer ; 
each  man  can  choose  his  own  religion,  without  the  haughty 
intolerant  conduct  of  a  proud  established  ecclesiastic  to 
control  him.  The  summer  is  hotter  than  in  England,  but 
the  fell  is  delightfttUj  pleasant. '  There  is  abundance  of 
fish  and  game  in  the  country ;  the  lakes  and  rivers  are 
stocked  with  the  former,  and  the  woods  and  marshes  with 
the  latter.  Fruit  is  the  least  plentiful  article,  and  eyep 
this  is  becoming  more  abundant  Orchards  are  now  con^ 
sidered  as  a  necessary  appendage  to  a  farm:  in  short, 
some  twenty  or  thir^  years  hence,  this  country  will  be 
one  of  the  finest  colonies  belonging  to  the  British  empire. 


,.9'' 


Memoir  continued  from  the  time  I  amhed  in  Bermuda 
till  I  left  the  Island  for  the  city  of  Nem-York,  on  nnf 
way  to  England 

As  the  mission  committee  under  the  direction  of  confer- 
ence^ had  appointed  me  to  labour  on  a  mission  in  Bennu< 
da,  it  may  be  necessary  in  this  place  to  say  something  re- 
specting the  religious  state  of  the  islands,  and  particulieurly 
die  situation  of  the  conference  mission.  Jn  1799,  Mr.  John 
Stephenson,  a  preacher  of  the  Irish'  connexion,  was  ap- 
pointed as  the  first  Methodist  missionary  to  the  Island  of 
.Bermuda..  Mr.  Stephenson  arrived  at  New-Tork,  on  his 
way  to  Bermuda,  the  16th  of  April,  1799,  and  in  fifteen 
days  ssdled  for  Bermuda,  where  he  arrived  the  10th  of 
the  following  May.  He  had  scarcely  landed  on  the  island, 
and  made  known  ths  purport  of  his  mission,  before  the 


JOBllVA  MAIBDBN. 


193 


c .  ^:7'^^zixz  » 

KBAIOin  WIT  lOMB  OPPOSBD  BHUOITKMIIIO  T«S  BtACn. 

■                           as-iii^ --i — ■ 

moBt  KandaiouB  and  ill-founded  reports  were  circulated  to 
liii  ducredit,  and  the  iojurj  of  his  miaistiy.  Heoce  he 
be^n  Ills  mission  under  all  the  disadvantages  that  preju- 
dice, Bigotry,  and  calumny  unitedi  could  scatter  in  his 
path,  l^he  Oovemor  (JBeckwi^h)  was  not  disposed  to  be 
very  friepdly  towards  him,  and  some  of  his  Excellency's 
minions  and  parasites  were  his  sworn  enemies  from  the 
first  moment  they  knew  his  errand.  Finally,  his  guilt  at- 
tained 0ie  greatest  altiUide,  and  the  deepest  black— he  had 
Tenti^d  to  preach  to  the  black  and  coloured  people;  and 
at  this  time  the  slave-holders  were  smarting  under  the 
^dea  of  the  complete  abolitiou  of  this  detestable  traiidc, 
whi(;h  they  feared  woujd  take  ,#lace.  Hence,  whoever 
appeared  in  the  character  of  ami  du  wnr^  or  a  friend  of 
the  blacks,  was  sure  to  be  detested.  Indeed,  no  one  could 
think  of  suffering  the  gospel  to  be  preached  to  the  blacks 
without  the  greatest  horror;  cutting  throats,  insurrections, 
rebellion ;  and  in  fine,  all  the  horrors  of  St.  Domingo  were 
copnected  with  the  idea  of  enlightening  those  unfortunate 
beings.  A  comptaiot  was  lodged  by  one  Justice  Green, 
who  coming  to  the  islands  in  the  capacity  of  an  itinerant 
portrait  painter,  had  scraped  together  a  little  money,  and 
If  as;  fiqally  lilted  upon  the  stilts  of  the  magistracy.  This 
same  worthy  Justice  hastened  to  the  Governor,  who,  it  ap- 
pears, had  already  imbibed  a  prejudice  against  Mr.  Ste- 
phenson, because  he  had  not  studietl  Greek  and  Latin  In 
the  British  IJniversides,  in  order  to  qualify  him  to  teach 
the  slaves  of  Bermuda  how  to  serve  God  and  save  their 
souls.  Accordingly  a  bill  was  brought  into  the  house  of 
assembly  to  hinder  the  most  dangerous  and  disloyal  thing 

in  the  world,  preaching  the  gospel  to%e  blacks.  The  bill 
.  ii2 


^• 


% 


194 


JCIKOIES  Of 


*.-«kT' 


an 


ACT  OW  TBB  BXIMODA  AMBMBLT  TO  BIJIDCR  ntEACHlNO. 


'=.„-.  V 


pasted  the  faouse,  and  origiiialcd  io  a  law,  urorthy  tbe  wii- 
dont  of  Nero,  and  the  workmanship  of  a  Bonoei^''''  Mr. 
Stephenson  preached  in  defiance  of  the  Keronian  statute, 
and  was  taken  up  and  cast  into  prison ;  sereral  wor^y 
men  offered  to  give  bail,  but  the  crime  was  too  great  to  ad- 

«■  An  Act  to  preTeat  persona'  pretendingt  or  having  pretended,  to  Iw  xninia- 
i  „  tens  of  the  gospel,  or  minienaries  fibia  any  rettgiout  loctety  wintevtt,  and  not 
inreeted  with  bcdy  orders,  according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  church 
':    of  finglsnd-,  or  tbe  clhi^ch  of  Sbotlaod,  frdm  acting  is  preachers. .       '*   •  ^ •  / 

:>  Whkrbas  itiseoneelTed^xtreiBely  essential  for  the  due  presefYstion  of.dr- 
der  and  good  government,  as  also  for  the  better  maintenance  and  support  of  the 
religious  principles  of  tlie  community  of  these  idsnds,  to  excloAs  all  petsons 
pretending,  or  having  pretended  Ur  be  ministers  of  the  gospel*  or  mistionarlea 
fh>m  any  religious  society  whi^ver,  and  not  regularly  invested%itb  holy  orders 
according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  church  of  England,  or  thec^ntohpf 
Scotland,  from  propagating  any  doctrine  upon  the  gospeT  or  othenrise;  Wb, 
therefore,  your  Majesty's  nxx.t  dutiful  and  loyal  subject^  the  General  Assembly 
of  these,  your'Mi^e«ly*s  Bermuda  or  Somers  Islands,  in  America,  do  most  hj^mi- 
|»ly  beseech  your  Mijdsty  thet  it  may  be  enacted.  And  be  it  eneeted  by  ^our 
MtOesty's  Oovernpr,  Council,  and  Assembly,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  m\  or- 
dained by  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  no  pi>rson  whatever,  pretending,  or 
having  pretended  to  be  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  or  mi8sioo»ry  .from  any  rili- 
giouB  society,  and  not  regularly  invested  with  holy  orders  according  to  the  rites 
and  ceremonies  of  the  church  of  England,  or  the  church  of  Scotland,  shall  be 
allowed  to  preach  or  propagate'tn  tl»|8e  island  any  doetHne_  upon  the  gospel,  by 
writing  or  printing,  or  byspetking  to,  teaching,  or  in  any  wise  lecturing  or  ex- 
horting any  public  or  colleeted  audietue  whatever;  and  that  any  person  who 
shall  violate  or  aiet  repugnant  to  this  law,  by  preaching,  or  prt^agating,  writing, 
or  printing,  or  by  spealcing  to,  teaclking,  or  in  any  wise  lecturing  or  exhorting 
any  j  ublic  or  collected  audience  whatever  u  aforesaid,  shall  be  suttJeetluid  liable 
to  a  fine  of  fifty  pounds,  and  to  be  imprisoned  for  tbe  space  of  six  montks,  with* 
out  bail  or  mainprise.  ,  1 

And  be  it  further  enacted  and  'ordrined  by  the  authority  aforeaald,  ^hat  any 
person  or  perscms  admitting,  or  allowing  into  his,  her,  or  their  house  or  dwelling 
any  person  pretending,  or  having  pretended  to  be  a  minister  dMhe  gospel  or 
roissiottary  from  any  religious  aoeiety  whatever,  and  not  invested  with  holy  o^ 
ders,  according  to  the  ritesand  ceremonies  aforesaid,  for  the  purpose  of  preach- 
ing or  propa^ting  any  dOctrine  upon  the  gospti,  by  writing  or  printing,  or  by 
speaking  to,  teaching,  or  in  any  wise  lecturing,  or  exhorting  as  afweac!^  any 
public  or  colleeted  audience  whatever,  shall  be  subject  and  liable  to  a  fineof  fifty 
pounA,  and  au  imprisonment  of  six  months,  withoutbail  or  mainprise. 

Passed  the  Assembly  this  a&th  day  of  April,  1800,  and  ordered  to  be  laid  before 
the  council  for  eobcuhrence.  *' 

^^.  JAMES  TUCKSB,  j^peotff^. 

Concurred  to  by  tbe  Council  this  a3d  day  of  May,  liBOO.  ^ 

<;•  HCNRT  TUCKER,  Pnttiim^  , 

Assented  to  this  24tb  day  of  May,  180(L 


M 


•r 


GEORGE  BKCKWITH. 


JOSHVA  UAAiDmm. 


\Q& 


9SIZ: 


ME.  STBVHUrsON  COXMITTBD  TO  PRItOff. 


=eB 


mit  of  such  a  coropoBitioD.  Samnves,  the  good  man  found 
that  a  prisoD  for  the  cause  of  Christ  was  no  luch  intole- 
rable thkt^— 4he  Lord  abuodantlj  fiiUUjied  that  beatitude, 
Blessed  are  they  who  «re  persecuted  for  righteousness' 

sake.  -  •  > 

It  s^ppears^  firom  several  of  his  letters  that  I  have  in  my 
possession,  that  the  consolations  of  the  Holy  Si^rit  were 
most  copious  during  the  time  of  his  incarceration.  When 
the  special  court  sat,  his  trial  came  on,  and  though  the 
lawyer  he  employed  (Mr.  Esten,  the  present  chief-justice 
of  Bermuda,)  made  a  most  able  speech  on  the  liberty  of 
conscience  and  tole^^ation,  yet  the  Juiy  were  requested  by 
the  chief-justice  to  bring  him  in  guilty ;  and  guilty  they 
|ironounced.  Doubtless  the  worthy  Judge  had  pr^judica- 
ted  his  case.  Hence  no  mercy  would  be  shown  such  a 
he^lous  offender. 


.-$■ 


And  !■  tb«ra  now,  io  tbese  illumined  dayi^ 
When  freedom,  reason,  truth,  imd  science  blaze  ? 
Is  there  aapark  of  that  Mtuie  seal, 
That  pU*d  the fag)sot,  and  eontriv'd the  wheel?    . 
Does  Julian  live  ?  Does  fierce  DOmitian  reign  t 
Or  savage  Mary  blot  a  throne  again  t 


-  4V 


f 
V- 


The  good  man  had  now  as  a  reward  for  coming  four 
thousand  miles  by  sea,  (he  went  by  New-Tork,)  and  bis  ^ 
various  labours  in  this  hot  climate,  the  consolation  .of  a 
small  room  in  a  prison,  where  his  mercyul  Judges  appoint- 
ed him  a  six-months  residence;  but  he  rejoiced  in  the  Lord, 
and  often  made  the  prison  vocal  with  his  praises,  while,  no 
doubt,  his  persecutors  trembled  at  the  gloomy  prospect  of 
a  judgment  to  come.  As  he  had  opportunity,  he  exhorted 
and  preached  to  the  poor  black  people  through  the  grates 
of  his  prison.    But,  verily  there  is  a  God  that  reigneth  on 


'•'m 


IfEMOnS  OF 


WICKED  Mar  ortSK  BnjrnucD  to  op»»M8  tbk  sfoatsoos. 


.ii, 


earth.  lo  mit  inme  prison  was  the  speaker  of  the  lunise 
of  assemfoly  confined ;  tliat  same  house  of  assembly  (wiili 
the  difference  of  one  or  two, members,)  that  made  the  exe- 
crable law  to  iinprlwn  Mr.  Stepfienson.  jBut  to  cobcUide, 
at  the  end  of  six  months  the  good  man  had  to  pay  his  fine 
of  fifty  pounds,  or  remain  in  jail  as  much  lonjger.afi  they 
pleased.  However,  in  tb^  a  number  of  worUiy  friends 
assisted  him ;  but  theprison-niartyr  was  no  sooner  emancL 
bated  than  he  had  to  leave  t)ie  island,  as  the  detestai^le 
statute  was  still  in  force.  Thus,  before  a  society  wasior- 
med,  before  the  divine  seed  had  b^n  to  spring,  was  this 
infant  mission  nipped  in  the  bud.  Truly,  Cod  hath  hi^ 
way  in  the  whirlwind,  and  his  path  in  the  mi(|^ty  wa^teis ; 
and  yet,  though  clouds  and  darkness  are  round  about  himj 
judgment  and  justice  are  the^  habitations  of  his  throne. 


"?it»  .f^}^-,-%fptt.. 


hAii^^^i-  ■  «ih  4  f  >* 


■  .'M,'- 


m 


If  baugbtjr  ^enmso^uei  oppress  th9  juptK^,,    . 

^nd  tntmple  innocence  beneath  the  diiat;  '* 

If  fiery  bigots  pcffsecute  and  rail,  .         ;  >; 

^  nd  then  consign  the  good  man  to  a  jail, 

Make  might  a  law,  to  gratify  their  spleen.;  Slf?  ig^  t'^^^ 

Then  talk  of  justice,  yillany  to  scrieen.     ^^ 

Through  every  maze  of  thts  intricate  <)lan)^   * 

Tliere  is  a  God  that  marks  the  ways  of  man. 

*Tis  he  permits  the  iricked  man  to  sway,  ' 

The  weak  to  stnigiele,  and  the  poor  obey. 

But  though  thick  clouds  and  darkness  vail  his  throDe,         ,  ' 

As  mista  obscure  tiie  beauty  of  the  sun,  >     i^W 

He  will  arise  with  vengeance,  and  redress, 

Who  suffer  for  the  cause  of  rightebusaess. 


■mi^Mm 


'ita 


■■>x.^ 


Pious  plans  may  fail,  but  the  people  of  God  shallnot 
lose  their  glorious  reward.  Such  hindrances  arc,  it  ia 
true,  trials  to  the  faith  and  patience  of  the  righteous,  an  J 
means  of  filling  up  the  measure  of  wickedness  to  the  un- 
godly,   r-- •  ■'  ■-'  '•'■'■'■  •;^^^  -  "  ■#  -'  ""•  ^  ^:t  :-■:  7'- 


leiBffk  KAKSOEK. 


197 


Mr  r»sT  AUTiAt  Am)  tiba^mbht  at  ibuidoa. 


Thi%  remained  10  this  state  several  yean,  from  1800 
Ull  1808;  several  missionaries  had  been  appointed  in  the 
mean  time,  but  none  chose  to  venture :  indeed  it  is  not  so 
pleasiog  a  matter  to  flesh  and  blood,  for  a  man  to  throw 
himself  into  (he  very  jaws  of  a  jail  Few  of  us  now-a-days 
are  like  Daniel  willing  to  go  kto  the  lions*  den :  we  all  glad« 
ly  8&y»  I  pray  thee,  have  me  excused.  On  a  lofty  mountain 
at  a  distaiice,  we  may  contemplate  a  stormy  ocean  with 
spme  degree  of  serenity;  but  to  be  amoi^  the  foaming 
billowy  in  an  agitated  little  bark.  Ah,  there's  the  rub. 

When  I  first  received  the  letter  that  contained  My  ap- 
pointment, it  was,  as  Solomon  says,  ISte  vinegar  to  my 
teeth,  and  smoke  to  my  eyes;  however,  by  the  blessing  of 
Crod,  I  resolved  to  go. 

On  my  arrival  in  St.  Geoige,  I  was  a  stranger  in  i£ 
strange  land ;  for,  upon  inquiry,  I  found  th^re  were  neither 
fociety  nor  friends  in  the  Island.  Some  persons  caflne  on 
board,  who,  understanding  my  mission,  looked  shy,  and 
whispering,  told  the  captain  that  I  should  not  be  allowed 
to  stay  in  tlie  place :  nay,  the  very  day  on  which  I  arri- 
ved, the  vestiy  of  the  church  was  called  together,  to  con- 
sult how  they  might  either  contrive  to  send  me  back^  or 
prevent  my  preacMog  on  the  Island.  The  honest  captain^ 
who  frequently  went  on  shore,  finding  how  things  were 
going  forward,  told  me  that  I  should  not  stay,  that  he 
would  give  me  my  passage  to  the  Bahama  Islands,  and 
back  to  Nova  Scotia ,  adding,  in  his  honest  but  blunt  man- 
ner, **  Thof  arp  not  werthy  efa  minister  ;  let  them  die  in 
their  sins^* 

My  mind  was  sorely  eJEcrcised  with  my  situation:  my 
wife  and  child  on  board  the  vessel ;  she  far  advanced 


IQt 


MIXOIRI  OV 


■CKIPTOIB  TBK  ■MT  t>rO«B  IM  DirPlCVbTtCI. 


10  her  prepuiDcj;  no  do<ur  opea  io  thetowi^,  whicbwai  W 
full  of  Boldien^aod  sailon  evea  to  get  lodgingi;  no  friead 
|o  iovite  me  to  his  house;  all  leemiogly  ai  dark  at  pes* 
sihlei  but  eveo  then,  when  my  mind  was  upon  the  rack, 
my  faith  bUodly  groping  a  path,  and  my  tboughta  ruoidog 
to  and  boi  to  know  what  measures  1  should  adopt;  even 
,  ^6%  lights  diyioe  light;  like  the  first  rays  of  the  morning 
^pon  a  benighted  traveller,  broke  ia  upon  my  miud;  we 
looked  into  the  blessed  book,  not  lor  mere  duty,  noi^  yet 
for  entertainment,  but,  as  a  pilot  in  a  storm  looks  at  a 
chart  for  deliverance,  for  an  opening  among  the  rocks  to  le- 
ward,  or  a  passage  over  the  dreadful  shoals  s  idl  thc^ 
scriptures  that  were  applied  to  our  minds  favoured,  nay,* 
^Iged  our  stay^    Flesh  and  blood  seemed  to  plead  for  out 
abandoning  the  mission,  but  1  thought  of  Jonah,  and  was 
afridd  to  flittcb;  for  myself  I  wished  to  die— >I  could  not 
MfeMo  from  bursting  into  teaw—biit-  I  had  ft  wife,  a 
child,  whose  situation  ma^e  my  grief  at  least  a  pardonable 
weakness.    Never  was  a  passage  more  applicable  than 
those  words :  «*  Let  him  that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  hath 
no  light,  let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord>  and  stay 
himself  upon  bis  Ood."    But  the  passage  that  seemed  to 
come  with  most  weight,  was  the  42d  chapter  of  Jeremiah, 
from  the  tenth  to  the  sixteenth  verse :    **  If  ye  will  abide 
10  this  land#  then  wHl  I  build  you,  ana  not  pull  you  down ; 
I  will  plant  you,  and  not  pluck  you  up ;  be  not  afraid  of 
the  king  of  Babybn,  of  whom  you  are  afraid ;  be  not 
afraid  of  him,  saith  the  Iiord,  for  I  am  with  you  to  save 
70U,  and  to  deliver  you  from  his  hand;  and  I  will  show 
mercies  upon  you  that  he  may  have  mercy  upon  your  and 
CUpe  you  to  return  to  your  own  land.    But  if  ye  say  we 


•./^■■..A.. 


JOStlUA  liASBIiEN. 


199 


i-^i^-mi. 


ncLT  nMwiLLino  to  oite  or  tbi  masion. 


will  ool  dwell  in  tiiis  land,  nMther  abey  the  voice  of  the 
Lord  year  God,  njitig,  no;  biit  we  will  go  into  the  land 
ai  Egypt,  where  we  shall  flee  no  war,  nor  hear  the  sound 
of  a  tnimpc^  nor  have  hunger  of  bread,  and  there  will  we 
dwett;  then  It  shall  come  ta  pass,  that  the  vWoid  that  ye 
feared  shall  overtake  you,  iind  there  ye  shall  die.''    Seve- 
nl  other  matters  concurring,  at  the  same  time,  made  me 
fearfiil  of  giving  up  the  attempt  without  sufficient  trial.    I 
recoHected  that  others  had  been  discouraged  and  gave  it  u|t. 
I  knew  that  Doctor  Coke  and  the  committee  had  set  them- 
selves to  get  a  mission  established  on  these  islands,  and 
Hiat  the  many  prayera  I  had  offered  to  Clod  could  not  1^ 
at  water  spiUed  upon  the  ground.    A  letter  1  wrote  to  Mr. 
Benson  at  this  time,  will  more  fully  explain  my  situatiob 
on  entering'on  ^is  new  mWoni  ^  ^  ^  "  *  * 


'}^*.yl•.■J>^*Ui'**H 


rJT 


^Qeorgi^  BiTfttuda,  June  7,  1S08«||^ 


'  As  you  requested  me,  in  your  last,  to  write  from  Ber- 
muda, I  now,  with  pleasure,  comply  with  your  desifb. 
My  appointment  came  to  -hand  last  fall,  just  as  I  was  going 
up  .the  river  St.  Johoi  to  visit  that  part  of  my  eiftenslve 
circuit :  but  as  the  winter  was  setting  in,  and  there  Was  nd 
prospect  of  a  passage,  my  way  seemed  blocked  up  till  the 
spring,  at  which  time  I  expected  to  sail  in  the  fint  vessttl 
for  New-York,  and  leave  my  dear  partner  with  her 
friends^  till  such  time  as  I  got  a  settlement  in  Bermuda  t<> 
send  for  her.  Meanwhile,  the  mission  appeared  to  be  s6 
weighty  and  important  an  undertidLing,  on  account  of  the 


tf 


4C- 


-*    V 


200 


MEMOllllk  6m 


LBTTBK   MI.ATIVB  TO  MT  riBIT  ABBITAb. 


["*> 
t:.. 


m 

m 


penccutiog  spirit  of  the  peo[de,  that  we  set  spart  a  day  of 
fasting  and  prajer  every  week^  in  order  to  obtain  the  di- 
vine blessing  and  protection.  In  the  month  of  December, 
fresh  troubles  and  obstacles  started  up  in  the  rumour  of  a 
irar  with  the  United  States  of  America.  St,  John,  my 
circuit,  bdog  so  near  the  American  lines,  and  supported 
chiefly  by  trade  with  the  States,  was  thrown  into  the  ut^ 
most  consteinatioo,  especially  as  there  were  not  wanting 
people  to  magnify  every  little  report,  and  ^ork  upon  the 
/ears  of  the  inhabitants.  -      -- 

V  I  continued  to  get  ready,  and  waited  in  suspease  till  the 
beginning  of  April,  when  a  vessel  happened  to  sail  for  the 
Bahamas,  the  charterer  of  which,  for  the  sum  of  thirt;^ 
pounds,  agreed  to  land  me  in  Bermuda.  We  had  a  most 
affectionate  and  reluctant  parting  with  our  friends;  for  I 
had  laboured  in  Kova  Scotia  and  New-Brunswick  nearly 
eight  years,  during  which  time  I  had  contracted  many 
friendships,  received  many  kindnesses,  held  many  precious 
meetings,  and  had  the  unspeakable  satisfaction  of  seeing 
the  work  of  €rod  revive  through  several  parts  of  both  pro- 
vinces. The  captain  and  mate  were  remarkably  kind. 
We  had  prayers  night  and  morning,  and  on  the  sabbath  I 
read  your  sermons  on  the  second  coming  of  Christ  For 
the  first  nine  days  the  weather  was  fine,  and  sailing  de- 
lightful, as  we  were  leaving  a  cold,  and  hastening  to  a 
warm  climate ;  but  for  five  days  following  we  had  very 
severe  gales,  and  one  most  tremendous  squall  of  wind, 
rain,  thunder,  and  lightning.  This  called  loudly  for  the 
exercise  of  faith,  and,  blessed  be  God,  my  strength  was 
equal  to  the  trial.    I  found  I  could  take  hold  on  the  pro- 


mise and  rest  00  the  truth  and  faitlifulneis  of  Jehovah^ 


im' 


'^^M 


, -ivi  V-'  i'  ,.  V.i 


J^MilrA  MAUDSN. 


■finfe 


DirricobTiB*  WISH  i  arkitxd  at  iesmuda. 


Tbat  fajmo  vas  iBtde  a  gnat  blening  to  my  soul,  >*  Coid^^ 
mit  thou  all  tbjr  gnefe  aod  waya  ioto  hie  Itaods,**  &c» 
After  numiag  down  the  latitude  of  the  ialaiDd,  we  had  an- 
other se^omilUficiilty,  thai  of  Dot  koowlog  whether  we^ 
were  to  Ibe  eait  or  west  of  the  iibiDd,  and  not  deriog  t»,, 
niB  in  iQ  the  nie^t  on  the  aocount  of  the  rocks  and  shelyev 
with  which  it  is  surrounded  to  a.  considerable  distance^ 
HfWever,  we  eontioued  standing  to  the  eastward  in  the^,;^ 
da^FV;  and  lay  to  in  the  idght,  till  happily  we  made  the  is|^^ 
and  on  the  side  least  rocky ;   and  in  the  momiog  a  pilot 
came  out  and  carried  us  safely  into  the  harbour  of  St. 
O«0rs«. 

^et  a  single  person  did  I  know  in  the  town,  yet,  trust- 
ing in  God,  I  went  on  shore,  and  delivered  a  letter  of  in« 
traduetiop  (giTen  me  by  n^y  dear  «nd  respected  friend. 
Colonel  B*of  I^ova  Scotia,)  to  the  Governor,  who  w]sbe<|g 
me  to  wait  upon  him  in  the  morning,  during  which  time  h6^ 
would  consider  the  business.    Meanwhile,  I  gave  fou?.^, 
dollars  for  a  boat  to  carry  me  to  Mr.  Pallass^s,  the  only^^ 
Methodist  in  the  island.     I  got  safe  to^^  Hamilton  in  abou||, 
three  bour^  and  found  a  sickly  old  man,  worn  with  afliic- 
tidp  and  harassed  with  persecution.      The  good  man  gave^it 
me  a  largeif^&il  of  ^^^  various  trials  and  oppositiops  he 
had  met  with,  and  informed  me,  that  the  few  peopl^  ga- 
thered under  Mr.  Stephenson's  ministry  had  mostly  fallen 
off,  and  that  religion  was  in  a  most  deplorable  state  in  tli^.^. 
island.    You  may  be  sure  this  information  did  not  raisih^ 
my  spirits,  and  I  returned  to  St.  George^  with  a  hea\^«;>, 
he^rt  and  gloomy  prospects,  there  being  not  a  single  per- 
son in  the  whole  town  to  befriend, ,  advise,  or  assist  mei,^ 


■•? 


my 


■i*V 


?'Ar  il:'f^ 


ijmm  8S#9wd  t^i-vupel,  and^jwyj^^ 


?. 


1IBMOIJ0  OF 


rsafc! 


KBaVBtTBD  turn  •OTSaiMA  <M  ftlVB  MB  UfiMIB  TO  FRIACR. 

*■■■  ■■■  I  ly^i— ■wpy™— *F"7,  ■  ■■■1^      ^1     ■  ■■?■       "I     ■^■Mi«»i^^    I  ■■■■■■     I  i^^i— — ifc— MM^i— ^^ 

bouse  er  toom  to  be  fok  bi  town  for  uumey.  .MotI  of  ibe 
people  tbil  I  taw,  jcstrried  their  oppoaitioo  in  tbeiv  very 
lookik  eft  if  thej  bad  supposed  tbat  I  bad  come  to  tp? aad 
ft  plague  in  the  ialaod.  ;  Spne  t^v'ued  me  to  %o  back  {  aod 
I  had  partly  made  up  m)^  mind  fo  to  do:  leeTiogtbe  mat- 
ter, howeveiv  wilb  the  Lord^  and  roating  n^^  ataybig  oa 
the  uiue  of  my  baYiog  a  favourable  receptioD  from  the 

^j^Ooyenioc.  This  was  a  moment,  for  faith,  prayer,  and 
fiurtitude;  and  gloiy  be  to  God,  we  did  pioive  thebr  effi- 
cacy^ 

la  the.morDiDf ,  according  to  appointment,  I  waited  on 
his  Excellency,  who  received  me  with  much  civility,  and 
assured  me  he  would  do  all  in  bis  power  to  help  me  <  tpe 
the  sake  of  his  friend  Colonel  Bv  After  some  convenap 
jUoDupon  thesttbieet  of  my  mission,  and  various  other  mat- 
lersi  he  sent  for  the  Chief  Justice  and  the  Attorney  General, 
tA  know  whether  any  law  existed  to  prevent  my  preach- 
ing in  the  island*  The  Chief  Judge,  at  the  Governor's 
.vequest,  examined  ray  ordination'passes,  my  civil  recom- 
mendations, and.  equivocated,  and  demurred  for  some 
time;  but  the  Attorney  General  gave  it  as  his  frank  opi- 
nion, that  no,  law  existed  to  binder  the  free  exercise,  of 

^my  ministry.  But,  knowing  the  persecuting  spirit  of  the 
inhabitants,  I  requested  bis  Excellency  to  grant  me  a 

v^ritten  license  from  under  his  own  hand,  to  wl^cb  the 

^Chief  Justice  objected,  saying,  It  would  be  necessary  fuit 
fto  cojisult  the  CouncU ;  upon  which  the  Governor  dismiss- 
ed me,  with  liberty  to  preach  till  I  should  bear  further  up- 
on the  subject     I  have  since  petitioned  his  ^xcelleocy 
for  a  licensej  but  have,  as  yet,  obtained  no  answer.    The 

^^lame  day  I  get  my  wj£b  and  child  on  shove,  without  • 


«^ 


^-•' 


J*. 


JOSHUA  MABflBKf. 


m^ 


MT  GOa«ftS«ATZOIIt  BBOAll  TO  l^CMUas. 


place  io  wbicb  to  lay  our  heada,  or  put  our  little  furniture 
nve  the  iao,  tbe  landlord  of  which  let  us  ha^e  the  use  of 
a  imall  room  for  the  momenti  having  no  where  else,  as  the 
town  was  full  of  army  and  navy  officers,  and  every  place 
taken.  However,  in  this  too.  Providence  kindly  intei^ 
posed,  and  directed  us  to  two  rooms  beloDgiog  to  a  person 
of  colour,  which  an  officer  of  tlie  army,  going  to  Halifax) 
had  just  quitted.  These  I  hired  for  one  pound,  or  three 
dollan  this  currency,  per  week :  and  this  sum  will  not  an- 
pear  to  you  extravagant,  when  I  inform  you,  that  for  the 
one  day  which  my  wife  and  self  were  at  the  inn,  the  charge 
was  3L  108,  or  eleven  dollars  and  a  half. 

Having  got  our  little  matters  to  our  rooms,  we  felt  more 
happiness  than  if  they  had  been  a  palace.  One  of  the 
rooms  being  pretty  large,  I  sent  the  black  man  to  give  no«^ 
tice  that  I  wouM  preach  the  following  morning,  it  being 
the  Lord's  day,  when  a  few  whites  and  blacks  attended. 
But  the  congregation  has  been  increasing  ever  since,  so 
that  I  have  now  as  many,  and  more  than  the  room  will 
well  hold ;  and  the  whites  comj^ain  that  they  cannot  get 
room  on  account  of  the  black  people.  The  people  are 
very  attentive,  and  all  kneel  at  prayer.  I  think  there  is  a 
prospect  of  doing  good,  allowing  that  I  am  not  persecuted 
out  of  the  island.  Some  have  advised  to  begin  a  little 
meeting-house,  but  I  wish  to  wait  a  little,  and  mark' the 
disposition  of  those  in  power,  whether  they  will  be  friend- 
ly towards  us  or  not.  My  mind  has  been  deeply  pained 
to  see  the  wickedness  of  the  place,  and  the  sad  want'  of 
means  to  stem  '  the  overflowing  torrent.  The  blacks  are 
kind)  polite,  and  much  addicted  to  dress.  I  have  made 
one  tour  through  the  island,  and  have  met  with  some 


<5 


2^4 


UCMOIRS   OF 


•if 


I IfiUM 


IftHaiVDA  A  DILIOHTrVL  PtACE. 

—nrr-'-': ■  ■ 


iriendlj  people,  who  seem  to  ivish  me  success  in  the 
Lord's  name.  With  regard  to  the  country,  in  general, 
cultivation  is  sadly  neglected  ;  and  the  people  live  mise- 
rably. They  prefer  poverty  and  indolence,  to  plenty  and 
toil.  A  little  fish  and  bread  is  their  principal  food ;  and 
though  blest  with  the  finest  climate  in  the  world,  they  will 
not  Improve  the  blessing. 

If  it  would  not  be  thought  foreign  to  the  subject,  I 
would  say  a  little  of  the  climate,  produce,  and  population 
of  these  islands,  which  are  several  hundreds  in  number. 
Though  oot  within  the  tropics,  Bermuda  enjoys  the  benefit 
of  a  constant  summer.  The  sky  is  generally  serene,  the 
air  remarkably  pure,  and  the  plants,  trees,  and  shrubs  Al- 
ways green.  I  do  not  wonder  that  it  has  been  recommend- 
ed to  Valetudinarians,  and  called  by  Poets,  <*  Pure  Ber- 
muda.*' The  gentle  gales  passing  over  groves  of  cedar,  of 
which  the  island  is  full,  diffuse  the  most  fragrant  and 
agreeable  odours.  The  appearance  of  the  land  is  rather 
barren,  but  the  sweet  scented  cedar  trees  present  a  perpet- 
ual green.  The  water  of  the  sea,  round  the  island,  is  eo 
clear  and  limpid,  that  the  fine  white  sand,  and  large  brown 
rocks,  are  seen  to  a  considerable  depth.  I  should  not  for- 
get to  say,  that  the  houses  are  perfectly  white,  and  at  a 
distance,  appear  like  masses  of  snow,  which,  contrasted 
with  the  beautiful  green,  form  a  fine  spectacle.  The 
length  of  the  whole  cluster  of  islands,  is  about  twenty 
miles,  and  the  breadth  three,  so  that  you  may  suppose  they 
are  Tione  of  them  very  large.  There  is  scarcely  any  land 
carriage,  and  not  a  cart  or  truck  on  the  islands ;  but  a 
vast  number  of  boats  arc  continually  sailing  to  and  fro. 
The  principal  harbours  are,  St.  George's  to  the  eastward, 


■'-* 


J08HUA  MAKtBEN. 


205 


at 


mcosvKiiiEircBii  or  thi  buiiiibr  iilandi. 


>  ■ ; 


HamiltoD  to  tbe  westward,  Castle-Harbour  to  the  south* 
ward,  and  a  Roadstead  for  men  of  war  aod  large  ships,  to 
the  northward.  Hamilton  and  Salt-Kettle  are  two  Tilla- 
ges. St.  George^  is  the  ool^  town.  It  cootaini  about  two 
thousand  people,  blacks  and  whites;  but  there' are  no  pla- 
ces of  worship,  or  public  buildings^  Sf  we  except  a  small, 
ill-constructed  church.  Dissenters  there  are  none.  Alas ! 
tjbey  appear  to  be  all  of  one  way'  of  thinking,  and  chiefly 
belong  to  the  synagogue  of  Satan.  The  pretended  pre- 
judice against  Dissenters  is  a  foolish  idea  that  they  render 
the  blacks  disaffected;  but  the  real  objection  is,  the  bless- 
ed strictness  of  our  doctrine,  which  militates  so  much 
Against  prevailing  and  tolerated  vice. 
.One  great  natural  defect  of  this  island,  is  want  of  water. 
As  there  are  no  springs  but  what  are  brackish,  water  is 
very  scarce,  which,  in  so  warm  a  climate  as  this^  is  a 
painful  circumstance.  Rain-water,  which  is  the  only  kind 
fit  to  drink,  is  sometimes  nine-pence  a  pail.  They  hare  i 
common  sayii^'here,  <*  No  rain,  no  drink ;  do  fish,  ;io  din- 
ner.** The  other  water  is  very  pernicious,  and  apt  to 
bring  on  the  dysentery,  which  is  a  disorder  very  common 
here.  Fresh  meat  they  have  little  or  none,  unless  it  be  a 
puss  whale  now  and  then,  which  is  esteemed  a  delicacy, 
and  sold  for  a  quarter  of  a  dollar  a  pound.  I  ate  som6 
the  other  day  equal  to  the  best  beef  I  ever  tasted.  Qoati 
are  very  common,  they  supply  the  inhabitants  with  milk, 
and  ^eed  among  the  rocks.  They  have  very  few  horned 
cattle,  and  those  very  miserable,  owing  to  the  want  of  wa- 
ter and  pasturage.  Beef,  mutton,  and  veal,  are  two  shil- 
lings and  sit  pence  per  pound;  but  to  supply  this  dcfact, 

the  islands  abound  with  delicious  fish,  singularly  beautifiil 

s  2 


20d 


MEMOIRS  or 


raoPUCTiONit  or  ■■mmcda. 


both  in  colour  and  conformation.  Yet  even  tbeie  are  not 
cheap.  Fruit  is  plentiful  in  the  season.  Fine  lemons, 
oranges,  and  limes,  grow  wild  in  the  wood?,  Fi^  anil 
ponicgranatesi,  are  also  common.  The  principal  trees  are 
the  cedar,  the  palmetto,  the  tamarind, 'and  the  banana. 
The  island  produces  cassavi  and  arrow-root,  wbkh  is  a 
most  delicate  ingredient  in  puddings.  Sweet  potatoes  and 
onions  are  common.  Indeed,  all  the  esculents,  common  t- 
an  Eoglish  garden,  roaj  be  raised  here.  No  grain  k  ^rti- 
duced  on  the  island,  except  a  little  barley.  Althcagh  iiit 
climate  is  fayourable  to  the  growth  of  sugar^or ' '. .  /ams, 
cotton,  indian  com,  and  oats,  yet,  rather  than  procur^ 
bread  by  the  sweat  of  their  brows,  they  have  recourse  to  li 
thousand  shifts  to  support  a  life  of  squalid  poverty  and 
dishonourable  sloth.  Centipedes,  lizards,  and  moai  tropi- 
cal insects  are  very  common ;  but  I  have  not  heard  any 
Bingiog-birds  on  the  islands,  though  there  are  some  birds 
■ff  the  most  ricJj  and  crimson  plumage  I  ever  saw. 
">  The  populaticia  of  the  island  is  estimated  at  ten  thou* 
sand,  most  of  whom  are  slaves  or  free  people  of  colour. 
The  blacks  live  together  without  marriage,  and  I  have 
heard  that  polygamy  is  very  common.  They  have  little 
trade,  as  they  have  neither  manufactures  nor  produce  to 
export  A  few  sloops,  however,  sail  with  onions  every 
year  to  different  WesMndia  Is'  '  If  ind  many  of  ifiie  in- 
habitants spend  their  summers  *  %  sland,  '^  of  the 
Bahamas,  in  making  salt.  A  lew  are  employed  in  build- 
ing cutters  for  the  king's  service,  but  their  cedars  are  too 
small  for  ships  of  any  magnitude.  The  men  of  war  on  the 
Halifax  statiisn,  usually  winter  here,  which  makes  a  little 
4^affic  m  the  sale  of  prises,  and  prize-goods^  which,  witii 


I    ^     ; 


# 


JOBHVA  MAKtDEN. 


207 


MllSIOIf  TO   ■BBMiDA   BXrBMtilTI   AT    rik.-.1. 


a  few  imports  trom  £a||;laad,  and  oow  aod  then  a  bIoo^ 
from  the  West-ln^i'e*,  is  th^  whole  of  their  trade.  I 
should  iiot  omit  to  meiitioii  that  from  the  leaTes  of  the  pat 
metto-tree  they  make  lloe  hats  for  exportation. 

My  proepect  of  doing  food  is  much  brighter  than  on 
my  first  arrival:  my  soul  feels  refreshing  seasons,  aud 
now  and  then,  a  few  respectable  white  people  drop  io  to 
hear  what  the  Granger  has  to  say.  I  have  given  away 
about  an  hundred  little  pamphlets*  which  tlie  people  seem 
to  read  with  avidity,  and,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  I  ex- 
pect pure  religion  will  be  established  in  St  George*s,  and 
through  the  islands.  Yet,  for  a  little  while  the  misaiou 
will  be  expensive,  every  thing  is  so  high  and  house-rent  so 
dear.  Were  I  a  single  man,  the  mission  would  be  much  less 
expensive,  and  io  its  present  state,  it  is  much  more  suita^ 
ble  for  a  single  than  a  married  preacher;  I  would  there- 
fore request,  that  a  single  missionary  may  be  gent  as  soon 
as  possible,  by  which  time  I  hope  to  get  a  foundation  laid, 
and  something  begun  towards  an  establishment.  I  live 
upon  as  saving  a  plan  as  possible,  and  yet  I  am  sure  not 
less  than  1502.  sterling  annually  will  be  necessary,  which, 
for  a  while,  at  least,  must  be  supplied  from  home.  I  have 
not  received  a  dollar  since  I  came  on  the  island,  and  have 
been  at  some  expense  to  fit  up  my  room  for  preaching ;  as 
yet  I  have  not  been  molested  while  preaching  in  either 
town  or  country,  and  I  hope  I  shall  not ;  however  1  leave 
that  to  the  Lord.  My  love  to  all  the  committee  and 
preachers.  I  am,  dear  Sir,  j 

i^n        Your  affeotionate  friend,  and  obliged  servant, 

JOSHUA  MABSDEN.  , 


^        fl-*   .  -r* 


.  •  Rt*.  yr^  .i# 


.%^^ 


S08 


\  '^' 


MEXOins  OF 


RSLioion 


BceiRNiNai. 


♦  :.- 


My  fitBt  congregatioQ  amounted  to  about  a  dozen  per* 
ions,  includiog  the  captain,  the  nipercargo  of  the  vessel, 
and  his  lady;  the  rest  were  chiefly  black  and  coloured 
persons.  However,  I  was  not  discouraged ;  I  knew  the 
Lord  did  not  despise  the  day  of  small  things;  I  knew 
that  the  noblest  institutions  frequently  arose  from  little 
beginnings,  and  faith  and  patience  opened  a  prospect  be- 
fore me  of  better  times.  Here  I  would  caution  young 
men  that  go  upon  new  missions  not  to  be  cast  down,  if  they 
do  not  at  once  meet  with  rapid  success  and  great  couute- 
■ance ;  for  as  the  stars  of  an  evening  sky  do  not  appear  all 
At  once,  but  one  after  another,  so  will  Providence,  step  by 
step,  open  the  way,'  and  illume  the  darkness,  till  the  whole 
hemisphere  is  spangled  with  light.  Our  blessed  Xord  had 
but  a  few  followers  for  several  years.  The  Apostles,  iu 
some  places,  had  only  solitary  individuals ;  perhaps,  a  fe# 
women,  as  in  the  case  of  Lydia.  Religion,  in  most  pla- 
ces, at  the  beginning,  is  like  a  grain  of  mustard-seed, 
which,  in  time,  spreads  its  branches  and  furnishes  the 
birds  a  refuge,  and  the  beasts  a  shade.  Thus  the  chris^ 
tian  religion  consisted  at  first  of  a  few  poor  fishermen  and 
mechanics.  The  reformation  sprung  from  a  solitary  monk 
and  a  few  of  his  companions.  The  church  of  Scotland  arose 
from  the  insulated  labours  of  John  Knox.  The  Ctuakers 
arose  from  George  Fox,  William  Penn,  and  a  few  others. 
The  Methodists,  who  are  now  four  hundred  thousand  strong, 
eighty  years  ago  consisted  of  no  more  than  some  six  or 
eight  young  men  in  one  of  the  colleges  of  Oxford; -vf^ 

The  state  of  things  at  Bermuda  when  I  arrived,  was 
nearly  as  follows :— St.  George  one  church,  no  dissenters ; 
•ne  sermoD  every  labbath,  that  is,  if  the  incumbent  chose ; 


'     JOSHIJA   MARSDEN. 


209 


SLAVERT  THE  BAUB  OT  WORABITT. 


the  rector  or  niioister  a  sot,  a  gambler,  a  blasphemer,  a 
spendthrift — who,  though  a  single  man,  with  perhaps  300/. 
sterling  a  year,  was  at  last  obliged  to  By  from  the  island 
for  debt ;  they  had  no  meetings  of  any  kind ;  no  profess- 
ors of  religion,  save  a  poor,  lame  black  woman,  of  the 
name  of  Hannah,  and  three  young  men,  who  were  blindly 
following  a  God  unknown.  These  had  been  brought  to 
some  degree  of  seriousness  by  means  of  a  Mr.  S.  a  San- 
^^hninian  Baptist,  then  in  England.  The  number  of  in- 
habitants in  St.  George  is  about  2500,  about  150  of  whom 
went  to  church :  the  rest,  what  did  they  do  ?  and  of 
what  religion  were  they?  Alas,  pleasure  seemed  their 
pursuit;  money  their  god,  and  blindness  to  futurity  their 
only  refuge.  Ah !  my  reader,  if  you  would  inquire  for 
true  religion,  never  go  to  the  British  Insular  Colonies! 
Never  go  to  the  southern  states  of  America ;  they  are  pol- 
luted with  slavery,  and  slavery  is  the  most  demoralizing 
thing  under  the  sun.  It  is  the  parent  of  oppression,  the 
nurse  of  sloth  and  guilty  passions.  It  is  the  bane  of  man, 
and  the  abomination  of  God.  Where  slavery  reigns  the 
human  being  is  made  a  beast  of  burthen,  or  the  slave  of 
lust.  The  poor,  half-famished  negro,  trembles  at  a  ty- 
rant's nod,  and  loses  every  good  quality  in  the  servility  of 
a  drudge,  or  the  wickedness  of  a  prostitute.  O  that  this 
scandal  of  humanity  were  annihilated, 


^m. 


And  every  Ule  amidst  the  western  wave 

With  freedom  glow,  and  blush  to  own  a  slave.^ 


*  "  The  slave-trade,"  says  the  Rev,  David  Simpson  in  his  key  to  the  prophe- 
cies, "  is  a  business  somewhat  similar  to  the  bloody  persecutions  which  have  ta- 
ken place :  the  principle  is  indeed  different,  but  the  act  is  much  the  same."  Tlie 
constant  annual  consumption  of  these  poor  creatures  is  reckoned  at  about  60,000. 
Th  the  yoar  1768,  the  number  of  slaves  bought  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  wtft 


*#' 


'■■^- 


1IEM0U8   OF 


210 


BOMB  eOOD  aSBD  MWll,  ^IfD  BT  WIOM. 


SS= 


^  The  rest  ^Bennuda  is  superior  to  St  Geoige,  in  a 
moral  poiot  m  view.  Indeed,  the  inhabitants  of  the  other 
Islands  do  not  love  those  of  St.  George;  though  every  one 
must  lament  the  evil  of  appointing  one  minister  over  four 
parishes,  and  this  minister  only  preaching  once  on  the  sab- 
bath-day, and  keeping  a  school  all  the  week.  Alas,  will 
one  sermon  in  four  weeks  kindle  or  keep  alive  the  sacred 
flame  of  religion  ?  They  best  know,  who,  with  all  the 
means  they  use,  lament  that  the  sacred  fire  will  often 
bum  dim  and  faint. 

When  I  said,  the  rest  of  Bermuda  was  more  moral  than 
St.  George,  I  should  have  confined  myself  to  the  parishes 
Brackish  Pond,  Spanish  Point,  (the  best  parish  in  th^ 
Island)  Crow  Liane,  and  Heron  Bay  ;  in  two  of  these  a 
worthy  minister,  of  the  name  of  Littleton,  had  left  some 
precious  seeds,  and  in  the  last  a  Presbyterian  minister 
(formerly  a  Methodist)  had  spread  some  divine  light ;  and 
thirdly  the  little  time  that  Mr.  Stephenson  was  allowed  to 
preach  unmolested,  was  not  without  some  excellent  effects: 
But  no  chapels  were  built,  no  societies  were  formed,  the 
people  exhibited  few  teatures  of  evangelical  piety.  It  is 
true,  many  of  them  in  the  interior  of  the  Island  treated 
the  author  with  great  politeness,  civility,  and  attention: 


104,100 ;  of  these  52,000  were  bought  by  British  merchants.  The  number  in  the 
West-Indies,  belonging  to  England,  is  said  to  be  796,000.  The  Abbe  Raynal 
•tates,  the  whole  number  in  America,  (freedom-loving  America,)  and  the  West- 
Indies,  at  1,400,000.  He  says,  moreover,  that  the  total  importation  from  Africa, 
Binee  the  beginning  of  the  slave-trade,  is  9,000,000  of  slaves  I  observe,  says 
he,  upon  this  terrible  account,  that  the  business  of  the  slave-trade  alone,  if  we 
have  no  other  national  transgressions  to  answer  for,  is  enough  to  sink  all  the  na- 
tions concerned  in  that  diabolical  traffic,  in  utter  ruin  ^d  destruction.  Is  there 
a  God  that  judgeth  the  earthl  then  slave  countries  look  to  yourselves.  1  would 
eiif,  >rhen  speaking  of  my  fellnw-creatures  at  large,  with  the  excellent  Fenelon, 
••  I  love  my  family  better  than  myself.  I  love  my  country  better  than  vty  fami- 
ly—but I  love  mankind  in  general,  better  than  my  country."  '*• 


JOSHUA  mabsaen; 


211 


1^=^ 


BLACKS  BXObODaD  rftOM  ]fA«MA«C  ARD  •ACftAllBIITS. 

Indeed  tbif  !•  the  character  of  raoal  of  tbe  uhabitaou  of 
Bermuda :  St.  Geoige  k  an  exception  to  tl»  remark ;  in 
that  Uttle  town,  ttiere  ia  a  nipercilioua  atifiueii^  a  foppiih 
pride,  arising  from  aome  wealth  jdoed  to  Uttleneaa  of 
nuoad.  >^ 

,  The  nine  parishea  into  which  the  Islands  are  divided, 
have  00I7  three  clergy^men;  and  conaidering  one  of  these 
as  the  chaplain  of  the  garrison  of  St.  Geoige,  each  of  the 
others  has  four  parishes  under  his  care.      The  blacks, 
who  c(Hnpo8e  more  than  one  half  of  the  eleven  thousand  in- 
habitants, were  ahnost  all  excluded  from  a  possibility  of  re- 
ligious instruction  and  divine  worship;  the  body  of  the 
church  must  not  be  deserated  with  them.      Hence,  at  the 
end  of  each  church  a  place  is  separated  from  the  rest, 
where  they  are  penned  up  like  cattle  at  a  fair.     They 
are  in  the  churches  wholly  excluded  from  the  rites  of 
baptism,  marriage,  and  the  sacrament,  till  the  present  day ; 
being  by  many  thought  of  little  value,  but  as  the  hand- 
maids of  labour,  or  the  instruments  of  lust. 
4|.^fter  I  had  tarried  a  little  while  in  St  George,  the 
buroiog  heat  not  agreeing  with  my  wife's  health,  I  re- 
moved upon  the  main  Island,  to  the  parish  of  Brackish 
Pond ; — from  whence  I  wrote  the  following  letter  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Coke. 


-ff 


Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsden^  to  the 
Rev,  Dr.  Coke,  dated  Brackish  Pond^  Bermuda,  Sept, 
2,  1808. 

Rev.  ai^d  dear  Sib, 
You  will  doubtless  be  anxious  to  know  something  rela- 
tive to  the  infant  mission  in  Bermuda,  and  I  am  happy  to 


m 


2\t 


HBMOIRI  Of 


rihBT  METBODiat  lOfltSTt  fOIMBD  IN  IT.  OtOMt. 


inform  you  that  I  (tee  more  sod  morfe  the  wifdotn  of  Pro* 
Tidence  in  Inclitiiog;  you  to  eend  me  to  theie  IilaiidB, 
wbicb^  though  abounding  with  all  manner  of  wiclied* 
ness,  are  neverthelegs  aTOjry  wide  and  tuitable  ield  for 
niissiooary  iodustrj  and  sEeal*  In  the  little  town  of  St. 
George  I  have  united  about  fifty  in  foolety,  mosl  of  whom 
are  coloured  people,  or  blaeks,  who  are  athirst  for  salvia- 
tion  and  insitruction,  and  very  thankful  that  Ood  has  sent 
a  missionary  among  them,  to  teach,  as  they  iay,^<  Such  poor 
blind  creatures  the  way  of  life  and  happiness.**  In  tbo 
country,  the  scene  of  Mr.  Stevenfon*s  labours,  I  have  not 
yet  been  able  to  form  a  society,  except  a  small  one  at 
Somerset.  I  have  large  congregations  in  the  country,  bu| 
they  hitherto  keep  aloof ;  nor  will  they,  in  general^  let  their 
slaves  come  at  all.  They  run  away,  with  the  idea  that 
religion  would  make  them  proud,  and  negligent  of  tlieir 
duty.  Hitherto  the  Governor  has  treated  me  kindly; 
but  religion  will  derive  no  support  here  from  power,  opu- 
leuce,  or  office.  It  must  stand  upon  its  own  legs,  as  in 
the  apostolic  times.  Kor  was  there  ever  a  place  where 
the  salvation  of  the  soul  was  less  thought  of  than  in  Ber* 
muda.  Many  suppose,  that  going  to  hear  one  sermon  in 
four  weeks  is  quite  sufficient ;  while  otheri  ai&ct  to  think 
that  God  is  too  good  to  send  a  soul  to  hell  L':  a  little  sin. 
In  this  little  mercenary  place,  ndthirig  is  esteemed  but  mo- 
ney :  the  people  are  chiefly  all  of  one  religion,  that  of  mo- 
ney, pleasure,  vanity  ;  while  the  Trinity  they  believe  in 
and  worship,  is  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil.^  You 
would  be  astonished  how  few  white  men  there  are  in  the 

*  This  remark  is  too  severe  if  applied  to  all  the  inbabitantu,  it  was  made  un- 
der a  siioLa^  impression  to  what  David  felt:  '* I  laid  iu  my  tuute  all  inco  are  11- 


ara. 


.u 


JOSHtJA   HAlltoEK. 


ilJ^ 


MORE  WOMCW  ATTEITDED  TBA:f   MEN. 


v*/ 


country.  They  are  chiefly  at  sea,  and  in  Titrks  Island 
inakiug'Bait.  Whererer  I  preach,  except  in  St.  Georges, 
I  hare  generaliy  six  iromen  for  one  man,  and  so  dressy 
that  you  would  suppose  them  to  be  going'  to  a  ball. 

This  island  has  been  in  a  most  deplorable  state  for  pro- 
vision  since  the   American  embargo;  indeed,  upon  the 
very  verge  of  a  famine,  or  actual  starvation ;  and  living  is 
so  high  that  the  mission  will  be  expensive  at  the  first    I 
had  to  sell  most  of  my  furniture  in  New  Brunswick,  net 
beiiig  able  to  bring  it  in  the  vessel,  which  was  every  part 
stowed  foil,  so  that  since  I  came  hither  1  have  had  to  buy 
fuitiitnre  at  an  extravagant  price.       This,  together  with'  ^ 
my  having  had  to  buy  and  keep  a  horse,  at  the  rate  of 
about  a  doUsir  and  a  half  per  week,  will  render  my  situa- 
tion expensive.     Added  to  these  things^  my  wife  has  been' 
sick  since  we  came,  and  you  know  what  the  doctor's  fees  ^ 
are  in  the  West  Indies.       A.nd  as  rtriy  wife  has  two  little  ^ 
ones,  we  are  obliged  to  hire  a  black  woman,  which  is  an  ^ 
additional  expense;   for  the  weather  is  so  very  hot,  that ' 
she  cannot  stand  the  fatigue  of  going  about  the  house  in  her 
weak  state  with  two  children  to  attend  to. 

As  yet  I  have  received  nothing  since  I  came  but  eigh 
teen  ddllarsio  pay  for  the  hire  of  the  room  I  preached  ia'^ 
at  St.  Georges.  This  little  society  is  poor,  but  they 
have  begun  to  subscribe  five  dollars  a  Kreek  to  buy  a  '^ 
piece  of  land  to  build  upon;  although  I  despair  of  going 
forward  with  any  thing  of  the  kind,  unless  you  will  lend 
us  a  little  assistance.  With  the  sum  or  donation  of  100^. 
I  may  be  enabled  to  erect  a  little  meeting-house,  and  give 
the  mission  an  establishment.  Dear  Sir,  if  you  can  do  any 
thing  on  this  occasion,  do  help  ub.      Never  was  t  here  a 


,<i 


"'% 


%-*-. 


..!♦ 


214 


'i» 


MEMO  IB  8  or 


HAD  A  8TftOBE  OF  tBK  BUN. 


■^ 


place  that  stood  more  in  oeed  of  such  a  thing  than  this. 
We  live  very  econoniicallf ,  and  yet  I  goon  shall  be  obli- 
ged to  draw  upon  the  treasurer  again.  Taking  in  house- 
rent,  and  all  matters,  we  cannot  live  at  all  under  twelve 
dollars  per  week:  flour  itself  is  from  eighteen  to  twenty 
dallars  a  barrel,  and  other  things  in  proportion.  And 
even  with  that  sum  we  can  only  aiTord  a  little  fresh  fish, 
or  salt  meat  to  dinner.  Fresh  meat  is  from  two  shillings 
to  two  shillings  and  sixpence  per  pound. 

Could  we  get  a  little  chapel,  I  make  no  doubt  but  a 
niissionary  might  be  supported  independently  of  the  funds 
at  home.  But  till  this  be  the  case,  his  whole  living  will 
have  to  come  from  that  quarter.  The  summer  is  uncoiki- 
monly  hot.  I  have  had  two  very  heavy  sun-strokes,  as 
tliey  c  1  them  here ;  one  more  as  severe  as  the  last  might 
ruin  my  constitution,  and  send  me  to  my  grave.  How- 
ever, it  is  a  consolation,  that  1  am  in  God's  hands,  who 
cannot  err.  I  still  live  in  the  country,  both  because  keep- 
ing a  horse  and  house-rent  is  much  cheaper  than  in  the 
town.  But  I  intend  to  remove  back  to  St.  Georges  as 
soon  as  possible,  because  there  is  a  far  brighter  prospect  of 
doing  good  by  devoting  a  greater  part  of  my  time  to  that 
town,  than  I  can  possibly  do  at  present,  living  at  the  dis- 
tance of  ten  miles,  besides  my  having  ferries  to  cross.'^ 
.  The  former  persecutors  of  Mr.  Stephenson  have  not  as 
yet  molested  me,  by  reason,  as  1  suppose,  of  my  being  pro- 
tected by  the  Governor,  who  very  kindly  asked  me  a 
little  while  ago  if  any  person  had  attempted  to  disturb 
me.  On  my  application  to  his  Excellency  for  the  grant 
of  a  little  lot  of  land  near  the  towu  to  build  in  future  a 
small  meeting-house  upon,  he  very  handsomely  promised^ 


•t*. 


•*  ; 


JOSHCA  HAR8DEN. 


215 


MT  LETTCBS  COMTAIN  THE  HISTOBT  07  THE  MISSION. 

that  if  the  iaaci  alluded  to  was  oot  granted  he  would  do  all 
ia  bis  power  to  let  us  have  it,  and  requested  me  to  wait 
upon  bim  again,  and  he  would  get  more' information  re- 
specting it,  and  let  me  know.  Well,  the  work  is  the  Lord's, 
and  he  can  turn  the  hearts  of  men  which  way  soever  it 
pleases  him.  Poor  Mr.  P.  seldom  gets  to  the  meeting ;  is 
become  old,  extremely  poor,  and  deeply  afflicied.  My 
dear  partner  unites  with  me  in  love  to  yourself  and  Mrs. 
Coke;  and  I  am,  with  cordial  wishes  for  your  welfare, 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

Your  unworthy  Son  ia  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ, 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


■A- 


K 


As  vay  letters  will  form  the  best  history  of  my  mission 
to  Bermuda,  and  as  saying  much,  besides  inserting  tliem, 
would  foe  treading  the  same  ground  over  again,  I  shall 
confine  myself  chiefly  to  the  information  they  contain;  now 
and  then  making  such  other  remarks  as  arise  from  my 
materials,  to  furnish  this  memoir. 

In  the  November  following,  having  to  draw  on  the  mis- 
sion fund,  I  wrote  the  followit^  epistle  to  the  worthy  su- 
perintendent of  the  missions. 


^¥< 


From  Mr,  Marsdcn,  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Coke. 
Brackish  Pond,  Island  of  Bermuda^  Nov.  2Qth,  1808. 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

As  I  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  drawing  upon  the 
Treasurer  for  50/.  sterling,  I  take  the  opportunity  of 
s;iving  you  a  further  account  of  my  success  in  this  Island. 
I  still  plainly  see  the  hand  of  Providence  in  sending  me 


^ 


21 6 


)'t' 


MEMOIRS   or 


^ 


rftXjUDlCE  OAVB  WAT    TO  TRUTH. 


# 


hither.  For,  though  as  jet,  no  rapid  reformation  has  ta- 
ken place,  yet  a  dawning  concern  for  religion  appean 
visible  in  many  minds,  and,  blessed  be  God,  lome  are 
truly  awakened  out  of  the  sleep  of  sin.  Of  these  I  hayie 
formed  about  fifty  into  a  society,  and  have  put  them  into 
two  Classes,  the  whites  into  one,  and  the  colouied  people 
into  the  other.  Tou  will  be  pleased  to  note  a  remarkable 
difference  betwixt  this  and  the  other  West-India  Islands. 
Here,  there  are  no  plantations,  consequently  no  accumula- 
tion of  Negroes  to  any  particular  spot.  They  live  in  pri- 
vate families,  one,  two,  or  three  in  a  family,  up  and  down 
the  Islands.  And  many  of  their  masters  wlii  not  albw 
them  any  time  to  come  to  hear  the  word  of  Ood,  or  at- 
tend any  meeting.  They  have  not  even  the  sabbath-day. 
And  could  they  attend  in  the  country  parts  of  the  Island, 
the  people  would  not  aUow<4hem  to  come  into  the  fame 
hour  with  them;  so  that  they  are  obliged  to  stand  and 
hear  without.  Many  of  Uie  respectable  white  people  al« 
low  and  invite  me  to  preach  in  theirvhoiises,  but  I  see  so 
little  fruit,  that  my  expectations  are  not  raised  high  flrom 
that  quarter.  Could  I  erect  a  little  chapel,  wiiere  one 
side,  at  least,  could  be  set  apart  for  the  black  and  colour- 
ed people,  then  I  should  expect  much  greater  success  to 
arise  from  the  mission.  The  blacks,  though  very  wicked, 
are  not  only  willing,  but  desirous  to  hear  the  goepel,  and 
a^  soon  as  things  are  placed  upon  a  proper  foundation^  I 
expect  there  will  be  a  flourishing  society  in  the  lilaod  of 
Bermuda.  I  think  I  can,  in  a  small  degree,  see  prejudice 
wearing  aAvay  from  the  minds  of  some  of  the  white  people. 
Perhaps  there  is  not  an  Island  in  the  Western  Ocean 
where  the  people  have  been  more  pre^diced  agaioltt  the 


JOSaUA  MAllBdfeN. 


217 


SOLICITED    TO   KETUlIf   HOME. 


Methodists,  than  they  have  iu  this  Island ;  and  no  wonder, 
for  it  was  even  asserted  bj  the  Attorney  >nera],  on 
Mr.  Stephenson's  trial,  that  the  Methodists  were  the  cause 
of  the  rebellion  in  America,  the  revolution  in  France,  and 
the  disturbances  in  Ireland.  Now  what  kind  of  an  idea 
must  an  ignorant  people  have  of  us  from  this  misrepresent- 
ation ?  Would  >ou  think  it,  that  the  person  chiefly  con- 
cerned in  making  the  penal  law  against  us,  is  now  in  jail  ? 
And  what  make9  the  event  remarkable,  is  a  peculiar  co- 
incidence of  circumstances.  Mr.  Stephenson  was  im- 
prisoned for  not  obeying  the  laws ;  this  is  precisely  what 
this  person  is  imprisoned  for,  and  he  is  confined  in  exactly 
the  same  room  in  the  jail.  Surely  there  is  a  God  that 
judgeth  in  the  earth,  and  he  hath  a  retaliating  providence 
even  in  this  world.  The  wicked  do  not  always  triumph 
even  here,  and  what  a  book  will  be  unfolded  at  the  day 
of  judgment!  ?;../:  \       '/      f 

Sometime  ago,  I  wrote  requestiirg  my  name  might  stand 
on  the  Minutes  as  having  permission,  in  a  little  while,  to 
return  home.  But  either  my  lettera  did  not  come  to  hand, 
or  no  aot|ce  was  taken  of  my  request.  I  did  not  wish  to 
leave  this  Island  destitute;  for  among  the  hundreds  of 
young  preachers  in  England,  local  and  itinerant,  I  did  not 
doubt  but  some  one  would  be  found  willing  to  relieve  me. 
.  But,  if  there  is  not  a  young  man  in  England  who  is  willing  to 
put  his  life  in  his  handj  and  come  out  to  this  little  Island,  I  am 
willing  to  make  it  my  hermitage,  and  live  and  die  here. 
I  like  to  preach  in  a  chapel  as  well  as  any  of  my  young 
brethren  I  like  to  have  large  congregations  to  preach  to. 
I  love  to  read  new  books,  I  love  to  be  respected  and 
popular^   I  love  to  be  delivered  front  the  tedious  ne» 


4I« 


I. 


XIMOAlf  Of 


saaaaessasaaaaaceaaaeasrag      '  r  %'  ,  ■',a=ss^eiga»»»i 

DEEP  HKOftrT  AT    UEAfclAO   OF    TDK  DBATB  Or   OLD   PREACHERS. 


cessity   of  for    ever    dwelling  upon    first    priociplef. 
But  if  1  har«  uot  more  love  to  Chriit  and  his  cause  tbao 
.  ill  thjepe  thiogi,  I  am  not  (it  for  the  jMngdom  of  heaven. 
1  am  truly  lorry,  Sir,  to  9C<;>  that  after  all  you  have  doae 
and  suffered  io  the  eause  of  Missions,  so  few  of  my  young 
brethren  are  willing  to  second  the  noble  efforts,  by  becom- 
ing active  roiiaionaries  wher«  you  have  opened  the  way. 
Shall  I  live  to  tee  a  declension  of  zeal  ?  and  a  love  to 
fashion,  honour,  and  curious  knowledge  prevail  in  any 
part  of  the  connexion  ?   God  forbid !    Though  I  am  a 
young  Methodist,  you  cannot  think  how  it  paioa  me,  when 
I  read  in  the  Minutes  of  one  old  )^  reacher  dropping 
off  after  another:    Mather  gone!   Hopper  gone !  Par- 
son gone!  If  I  stay  abroad  a  few  more  years,  I  shaU  have 
no  more  reasons  for  coming  home !  For  let  a  Coke,  a  Ben- 
son, a  Taylor,  a  Clarke,  a  Wood,  a  Moore,  &c  &c.  be 
added  to  the  number,  together  with  my  good  old  mother, 
and  then  my  magnets  beiL*  withdrawn,  I  shall  lose  all 
attraction  towards  my  native  country,  and  rest  content  to 
be  a  missionary  and  a  voluntary  exile  for  life !  I  hope  you 
will  pardon  the  length  of  this  scrawl,  and  believe  me  to  be 
with  the  most  sincere  respect,  *# 

*''"^-**'*  Your  affectionate  Son  in  the  Gospel,  '^ 

■"'^  lOSHUA  MABSDJBIi. 


'-^'■'■■lifA 


__  ^r  '(•^■■*-' 


:*< 


''!' 


^  iS'roy  knowTcdge  of  the  country  ^nd  people  increased, 
1  found  out  all  those  worthy  persons  who  had  taken  Mr. 
Stephenson  by  the  hand ;  as  also  a  niMnber  of  others,  who 
treated  me  with  the  greatest  possible  kindness,  and  invited 
ne  to  preach  tn  their  booses.  Of  these  I  would  mention 
StaweWood,  Esq*  in  Hamilton^  who  proceed  botU  a  true 


J08HVA.  MARtOBN 


m0 


B^tKBSt^ 


TBK  EIHOnCtt  or   MAST    IM   BSM 


sen 


-nrr 


frieod  to  my  family,  aod  patron  to  the   Misbion.     Mn. 
Albouy  and  family,  thoi^h  a  ividow,  treated  lue  witli  tbc 
greatest  posiible  Iqndoess  aud^ajtteotion,  and  invited  me 
to  preach  in  her  house :  to  this  worthy  family  I  conaidu' 
myself  as  under  everlasting  obligations.    Mrs.  Thompson, 
Mrs.  Swan,  Mrs.  Burch,  Mr.  John  I.  Masters,  captains 
Wiiite  and  Walker,  and  Mr.  Richard  Wood,  merchant, 
Mr.  Williams  at  Braclusb  Fond,    with  captain  Thomas 
(Nawbold  and  family  of  the. same  place,  all  deserve  my 
tvarmest  thanks.      Mr.  Washington,  from  the  Island  of 
Nevis,  was.  my  faithliil  fiieiid  through  all  the   mission, 
in  St.. Georges  Mrs.  Grant,  Miss  Molly  Burges,  brothers 
John  Barrel,  and  Richard  Higgs,  with  a  number  more> 
<werelmly  kind.  From  the  black  and  coloured  people)  both 
in  and  out  of  society,  I  experienced  much  kindueif.— 
My  worthy  friend  WiUifm^Elkins,  in  Hamilton,  rendered 
me  many  services;  and  from  his  uncle,  William  Millar, 
Esq.  agent  of  transports  and  prisoners  of  war,  I  received 
much  respect.     Indeed,  both  the  inhabitants  of  Spanish 
Point,  the  town  of  Hamilton,  and  also  Brackish  Fond, 
treated  me  with  kindness  and  hospitality.    T be  first  place, 
save  St.  George,  in  which  I  preached,  was  the  house  of  Mr. 
Washington,  at  Spanish  Foint,  (so  called  from  its  being 
the  place  where  the  Spaniards  first  landed  when  they  db- 
covered  the  Island)  I  was  also  invited  to  prciieh  at  sever- 
al other  places;  Brackish  Fond«  Somerset,  Heron  Bay^ 
and  Hanulton,  where  the  chapel  is  built,  and  the  mission 
established.     To  this  place  I  was  directed  by  a  parti- 
cular providence,  to  move  in  the  spring  of  1809,  and  from 
whence  I  addiessedthe  following  letter  lo  Dr*  Tbomal 


€okc. 


i.A^?-^5&7.' 


■  •  ^C  iO^    -..:l^,>.JVt;  M  .-  -*.  ^fi 


7SM 


MEMOimS  ot 


THC  CSTABIiISaMBIlT  OW  A   MI8I10N    DimCl'LT. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr,  Joshua  Marsdm,  Missionary, 
to  the  Rev.  Dr,  Coke. 


4cV 


Hamilton,  Island  of  Bermuda,  April  13,  1800. 
Rev.  and  okar  Sib, 
Tou  will«  doubtless,  wish  to  receive  ioformation  respect- 
ing my  mission  and  the  situation  of  aiTairs  in  these  Islands. 
The  prospect  is  not  the  most  pleasing,  and  yet  the  Lord 
has  wrought  a  great  work  on  the  minds  of  some.  I  have 
formed  sixt}'  into  Society,  none  of  whom  were  ever  in  socie- 
ty before.  And  yet  I  believe  the  perfect  establishment  of  ^ 
Methodist  mission  will  be  a  work  of  much  time,  difficulty^ 
tnd  expense.  I  have  got  a  subtcription  set  on  foot,  to 
build  a  small  place  of  worship  in  the  country  at  Hamiltou, 
ms  there  will  be  no  extensive  good  done  in  the  IsUind 
among  the  blacks,  till  one  is  erected,  from  the  circumstance 
which  I  mentioned  in  my  last,  that  the  white  people  will 
not  allow  them  to  come  and  hear  in  houses  where  they 
themselves  assemble. 

.  In  Hamilton,  the  only  town  in  the  Island,  beside  St. 
Georges,  God  has  raised  up  some  who  wish  to  befriend 
me;  but  amongst  many  there  still  appears  a  wonderful 
spirit  of  opposition.  And  yet  the  Island,  this  winter,  has 
been  in  a  state  of  actual  famine.  As  the  American  embar- 
go has  prevented  supplies  coming  from  that  quarter,  hun>- 
)ireds  upon  the  Island,  as  well  as  myself  and  family,  have 
been  obliged  to  live  upon  dried  cod-fish,  frequently  with^ 
out  a  bit  of  butter  to  render  it  palatable.  However,  if  I 
cOukl  see  the  cause  of  God  flourish,  I  could  freely  submit 


#^ 


.y^i^Ti  •  > 


a..  *i>-*i;:*-.3;-i  -i^  ^■"'' 


JOSHUA    MAHSDEN.       ) 


^% 


WANT    or   HOOK*  A  ■BlllOl/t    UimCVLTT. 


to  every  privation  and,  I  think,  be  contented  with  bread 
and  water.  I  liave  a  blessed  hope  that  the  Lord  will 
arise  and  plead  liis  own  cause  in  this  wielded  and  beuightp 
ed  place. 

The  privileges  of  my  English  brethren  often  make  me 
wish  that  I  had  tt^ie  wings  of  a  dove  that  I  might  fly  away 
and  participate  of  them.  Wiih  regard  to  my  situation  in 
temporal  matters,  as  yet  I  must  be  dependent  on  the  funds 
at  home.  The  coloured  people  in  the  society  have  it  not 
in  their  power  to  do  much,  and  others  think  little  about 
the  matter.  Nor  do  I  expect,  till  a  little  chapel  is  erected, 
to  be  able  to  raise  any  regular  revenue  or  salary.  1  hope, 
however,  in  future,  my  expenses  will  be  less,  as  my  wife 
has  begun  to  keep  a  school  for  girls,  at  the  request  of  a 
number  of  people.    '/ '  ?  -     ?..■  ^f  ^  ^ .  - 

The  want  of  book^  is  another,  serious  dilficulty  under 
which  I  labour:  for  the  people  know  notliiog  of  the 
Methodists  but  by  Iieanay,  md  that  n  of  the  jdosi  ttniB« 
vourable  nature ;  and,  you  may  depend  upoo  it,  there  were 
no  more  traces  of  Methodism,  or  heart  religion,  when  I 
came  to  this  Island,  than  if  no  missionary  had  ever  set  his 
foot  upon  it.  But  the  Lord  hath  begun  a  blessed  work. 
May  he  carry  it  on  in  a  glorious  manner,  for  his  mercy^s 
sake !  I  have  lately  drawn  upon  you  for  202.  and  as  soon  at 
1  begin  to  build  the  little  chapel,  I  shall  have  to  draw  upon 
you  again,  as  I  have  only  been  able  to  get  subscriptions  to 
the  amount  of  180/.  sterling:''^  whereas,  at  the  lowest  cal- 
culation, it  will  require  from  250/.  to  300/.  to  erect  it. 
When  this  is  finished  I  shall  expect,  by  the  blessing  of 
God,  to  see  something  done  toward  a  more  extensive  re- 

*  This  subscription  wu  ftftenrtrda  tugmeoted  to  upwards  of  6001.  sttrling. 


.■■■^-,.- 


222 


MEMOIRS   OV 


DBARNisa  or  raoviBioN  in  Bermuda. 


«IK. 


formation  both  among  blacks  and  whites.     May  the  bless' 
ed  Lord  carry  on  his  own  blessed  work. 
I  am,  with  sentiments  of  respect, 
Rev.  Sir,  your  affectionate  Son, 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


Jr'm.4 


^.JW.: 


r-\'' 


'm-':'\K 


P.  S.  That  you  may  have  some  knowledge  how  spa- 
ringly I  have  lived,  considering  the  extreme  high  price  of 
provisions  1  have  sent  you  an  account  of  the  current 
price  of  sundry  articles  of  food  in  the  Island.  Indeed  the 
state  of  things  this  winter  has  been  very  little  better  than 


.  <i" 


\ 


absolute  famine*ife*^  >m  ^m:^- .i^'ti^^ -^ - '  >■  •- 

;,  '-  :  Current  prices  cf  provisions,  Sx,  in  Bermudat.     *v 

^     Fresh  Beef;  -    -    -    1  8  to  2  0  per  Ib.^  ,>^;^- 
^        Mutt0D>      -    -    -      2  0  to  2  4  do.      ^^^^^4  ^i 
••■'     Veal,  -"M%i.*^'r2  0  to' 2  4  do.,SSii^. 
.;,;      Pork,      -    .''-■vii^v  i  8  to  2  0  ^,:i{^^:n^P'S^^ 
'\     Fresh Butter,.^,.^.i    4  0  do.  .f  ,,v'-,.p^;^,; 

»r      Hams,    -    -.  :*^?n|*  '    3  0'  to  3  ,4  do.  ^^■%>■^t-^. 

Prime  Pork,      -    -    38  to  40  dollars  per  barrel.  ^^ 

Flour,     -    -    -    .      30  to  36  do.   r  ^c  ;*>  *v  >^  *ay 
^^     Rye  flour,    (none.)  yvlf  L/^Vi: 

RJce»      -    -    fv-K  *f  8  to  12  do.  per  hundred. 
i     Corn,      -    -    -    •     1/.  3*.  Ad,  per  bushel.  |^  .^^ 
^     Muscovado  Sugar;  7  to  8  'lollars  per  cwt.     *  ^M    t' 

Loaf;    -    -    do.    2*.  %d.  to  3^.  Ad,  per  lb>4**%  V 
;^     Soap  in  boxes,    -    2*.  8<A  to  3*.  Orf.  do.fvil^  ?;?:* 

Candles  (mould)  in  do.  4*.  per  lb.  '  --LWili  ; 

Cheese,    -    -    -    3*.  Ad,  do. 


JUBHUA   MAftSDBN. 


223 


BERMUDA    RAD    HO    MI8BIOMARIES  TILL  LATELY. 


.iH-d  »■. 


,.^  >^^*ii,i- 


8t    d,         s,     d. 
American  Butter,    As.  Od,  do. 
CoiTee,     .    -     -     2s.  Od.  to  2s.  6d.  do. 
Cocoa,     -    «    -      Is.  Sd.  to  2s.  Ad.  do.  4. 

Currency  here,  Qs.  Hd.  to  the  dollar,      u 


H*V'-- 


In  the  ensuing  May,  I  wrote  the  following  Letter  to 

the  Rev.  Joseph  Benson.^  ^„^.  ,  ,    ,  ,    ._  ^^.^  .    ,., 

, '  Ji   it      -    '..'.■. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsden,  Missionary^ 
j^.+,  til  Bermuda^  to  Mr.  Joseph  Benson.        *y  ****' 

Hamilton,  Bermuda,  May  20th,  \B09. 
Dear  AND  RESPECTED  Sib, 
WiTH'respfct  to  the  Mission  at  Bermuda,  it  does  not, 
as  yet,  afford  so  pleasing  a  prospect,  as  some  of  the  other 
transatlantic  Isles :  yet  blessed  be  God,  though  one  of 
the  last  in  receiving  the  gospel,  I  hope  ii  will  not  be  last 
in  a  moral  point  of  view.  It  is  true,  the  full  establishment 
of  a  flourishing  Mission  here,  will  be  a  work  of  time,  and 
perhaps  the  principal  end  that  will  be  answered  by  my 
coming  to  the  Island,  will  be  to  pluck  up  the  hurtful 
weeds  of  prejudice,  with  which  the  place  was  completely 
oveigrown,  and  to  collect  a  small  society,  perhaps  a  hun- 
dred or  two,  and  as  I  trust,  by  the  blessing  of  Gocl  (for  I 
am  now  about  it)  to  build  a  small  chapel,  on  w  hicli,  it  ap- 
pears, the  favourable  issue  of  my  labours,  at  least  among 
the  blacks  and  coloured  people,  will  much  depend  ;  for 
the  people  will  not  allow  tliem  to  come  into  private  houses, 
where  I  usually  preach.  O  the  pride  of  the  human  heart, 
to  despise  a  fellow-creature  for  the  colour  of  hb  skin ! 


'jfi 


J.I. 


224 


Uli^MOIKS    ei^ 


'"■■'''■    — '   ITTT-: 


8IHHOP   Of    LONDON'S   LETTER. 


Yet  so  it  is.  The  poor  biaeks  are  not  treated  as  immortal 
iDteliigencee,  but  merely^  at  the  handmaids  of  labour,  or 
the  instruments  of  lust  I  •,. 

I  dad  the  good  Bishof^  of  London  has  been  ekertic^ 
himself  for  the  good  of  poor  negroes,  and  I  heartily-  wish 
him  all  success  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  But  I  cannot 
find  that  the  persons  here,  to  whom  some  of  the  pamphlets 
were  sent,  have,  as  yet,  taken  any  notice  of  the  matter. 
The  good  Prelate  is  mistaken  if  he  supposes  his  plan  will 
be  pursued  in  the  West  Indies,  with  all  that  disinterested 
2eal  that  seems  to  animate  the  worthy  Bishop.  I  was  a  little 
surprised  to  find  no  mention  made  of  the  labours  and  success 
of  Dr.  Coke  and  the  Methodist  missionaries  in  these  Islands^ 
Can  this  be  owing  to  want  of  information,  or  prejudice  in 
this  worthy  person  ?  I  am  finnly  persuaded,  however,  that 
if  the  Bishop's  design  ever  be  executed  in  the  West  In- 
dies, it  will  be  by  the  overlooked,  reproached,  and  de- 
spised Methodists.  Well,  glory  be  to  God,  the  religion  of 
the  cross  will  finally  prevail,  and  triumph  over  all,  and 
'many  of  the  sable  sons  of  Ham,  in  the  great  day,  will 
make  it  evident  by  whose  means  they  were  brought  into 
the  family  of  God.      ■    - -w,^-'r^-----  >'5^.'-»^-*^»^^ 

"^  Perhaps  it  is  better  for  the  Methodists,  that  they  never 
had  any  Right  Reverend,  Right  Honourable,  or  Most 
Noble  Patrons;  it  brings  back  the  state  of  the  Primitive 
church,  when  religion  stood  upon  its  own  bottom.  It  is 
not  patronage,  it  is  not  money,  nor  titles,  but  genuine  grace, 
holy  zeal,  and  primitive  simplicity,  that  must  support  and 
promote  the  cause  of  God.  May  the  Methodists  be  ever 
kept  humble,  and  God  will  exalt  them!  May  they  ever 
continue  united,  and  ignorance,  bigotry,  prejudice,  and 


.Jv 


y   f 


JOSHUA  MABBDEN. 


224 


MOTIVES  FOB  MISSIOSARIKS. 


wickedness,  will  fall  before  them.     I  am  sorry  to  find 

by  the  last  Minutes,  that  some  of  our  West  India  Islands 

are  without  missionaries.      What,  do  the  funds  fail  ?  or 

will  none  of  our  zealous  young  men  come  forward  in  so 

noble  and  blessed  a  cause  ?  Can  we  sing,  ''  O !  for  a 

trumpet's  voice,  on  all  the  world  to  call,  and  yet  not  be 

willing  to  come  and  call  the  poor   forlorn  blacks  from 

darkness  to  God*s  mavellous  light  ?  Shall  we  wish  for  "  A 

thousand  tongues  to  sing  his  praise,"  and  yet  refuse  one 

life  to  promote  his  glory  among  our  Ethiopian  Brethren  ? 

Shall,  in  this  respect,  the  Moravian  Brethren  take  our 

crown  ?  Shall  the  sailor,  the  merchant,  the  adventurer,  the 

traveller,  the  soldier,  do  more  for  a  living,  for  interest, 

speculation,  knowledge,  or  honour,  than  we  for  the  glory 

of  God  ?  O  that  we  might  more  than  ever  arise,  and  shake 

ourselves  from  the  dust,  and  go  forth  in  the  name  of  the 

Lord !  Let  me  entreat  you,  my  dear  Sir,  to  do  all  you 

possibly  can  to  send  me  a  few  Testaments.   Many  of  the 

blacks  and  coloured  people  can  read  a  little,  and  this 

Island  abounds  with  extremely  poor  white  people;  the 

want  of  these  is  inexpressibly  great.      May  the  Lord 

open  the  way  for  the  streams  that  flow  from  the  Fountain 

of  Life  and  Truth,  to  water  this  most  barren  Island,    Let 

me  entreat  you  also  to  grant  us  an  interest  in  your  most 

fervent  prayers,  that  God  would  pour  his  Spirit  upon  this 

pioud,  worlvily,  and  wicked  place.     With  love  to  all  the 

brethren  in  London,^   .t^#^4;^.r.->^  t  W^^^sA  fv. 

#},n^  I  remain,S't^<!^^  ^ti^j-.^'' -^^^^^^rV^-  ■My:<%k.''t4  ' 

v^v*  ,.  Your  aflfectionate  Son  in  the  Gospel,  "^^ 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 

V 


'■'^.\ 


'% 


il 


226 


MEMOIBS  OF 


THE  aCT.  M*.  KNSON'a   liSTTIiR. 


aa; 


'.Vf.* 


(to  which   1  BSCSIVBD  THB  FOLLOWINO  AlfSWER.) 

i^itiiAm,  SepUwbfff  niA,  1809. 
i       My  very  ueae  Brother,  ,    ,^^  ,^,, 

YourfftTourofMay  20tb,  bf  the  bark  Mary,  CapU 
Basdeo,  master,  eame  duly  to  band ;  and  I  am  glad  that  I 
have  an  opportunity  of  ackoowledgiog  the  receipt  of  it, 
and  thanking  you  for  It  by  the  fame  ibip,  which  I  have 
learned  this  morning  is  to  be  ready  to  sail  to  morrow  di- 
rect to  Bermuda.  Be  assured,  my  dear  brother,  I  am  al- 
ways glad  to  bear  from  you,  and  publish  an  extract  of 
most  of  your  letters  in  our  Magazine;  and  I  should  cer- 
tainly answer  all  your  Letters  were  I  not  straitened  for 
time,  and  obliged  to  omit  many  thhigs,  which  I  should 
otherwise  think  it  my  duty  to  attend  to,  in  order  that  I 
Cray  fulfil  my  duty  in  matters  of  a  still  greater  import- 
ance. ■,^^:   ■■  ,,.>,-  ■  ./>   ;         ;,■     "    :      ' 

I  think  it  noV  appears  pretty  evident,  that  the  Lord 
h'^s  sent  you  to  Bermuda.  I  have  no  doubt  but  you  will 
be  enabled  through  the  divine  blessing^  to  raise  a  society 
of  considerable  importance  in  the  Island,  and  to  spread 
the  light  of  the  gospel  among  both  whites  and  blacks.  I 
think  you  have  done  wisely  to  begin  erecting  the  small 
chapel  you  speak  of,  and  the  Missionary  Committee  will 
undoubtedly  afford  you  all  the  help  you  need,  in  order  to 
the  finishing  of  it.  I  hope  you  will  coatinue  to  the  Islafid 
till  the  work  be  established.        '  "'      ^ 

You  express  your  surpriie  and  sorrow,  that  at  the  Con- 
ference in  1808,  some  of  the  West  India  Islands  should 
be  left  without  missionaries.  You  will  see  by  the  Min- 
utes of  this  year,  that  this  is  still  the  case.  Several  of  the 
Islands  are  without  their  proper  complement  of  preachers. 
The  reason  of  this  is,  not  that  the  funds  fail;  but  it  is  be- 


*5:^' 


•  \ 


JOSHUA   MAR8DEN. 


227 


MORTALITY   AHOXQ   MISSIONARIES. 


cause  men,  proper  for  the  vork,  caimot  be  obtained.  lu 
the  KoTember  Magaziae,  I  shall  publish  an  extract  from 
your  last  letter,  in  hopes  of  iliereby  exciting  the  zeal  of 
some  of  our  young  men. — One  thing  that  has  discouraged 
many  of  them,  is  the  great  mortality  that  has  attended 
the  missionaries ;  together  with  the  persecution  in  Jamais 
ca,  which  it  was  apprehended,  might  extend  even  to  the 
other  Islands.  That  peiitecation  is  now  at  an  end,  and 
the  measures  taken  by  his  Majesty^s  Government  foilsid 
our  -fears  of  its  returning.  But,  so  many  of  the  mission- 
aries dying  in  some  of  the  Leeward  Islands,  is  still  dis- 
couraging to  them. 

Finding  this  moroing  upon  inquiry,  that  you  have  not 
had  the  Magazine  for  1808,  I  have  desired  Mr.  Blan- 
shard,  to  send  you  them,  with  those  of  the  present  year, 
to  the  end  of  October.  I  have  also  desired  him  to  send 
you  some  other  books.  He  says  that  a  quantity  of  Bibles, 
and  some  other  books  you  ordered,  have  been  already 


,»^,-a;  **■-•• 


'/'    i.'\»>---  ,^;»»'«;'";-  y^i 


%'^^'*.: 


sent  to  the  ship. 

Tou  may  depend  on  it:  my  dear  brother,  that  the  Com- 
mittee love  you,  pray  for  you,  and  entirely  approve  of 
your  conduct  as  a  missionary,  and  in  all  other  things,  as 
for  as  we  know  it ;  and  we  shall  be  always  ready  to  send 
you  such  books  as  you  want,  and  to  assist  you  in  your 
great  and  good  work  every  way  in  our  power. 

Since  my  return  from  Cenference,  a  fortnight  ago,  I 
have  been  exceedingly  busy,  and  am  so  still :  othei'wise  I 
should  have  written  more  at  large.  Let  me  hear  froiri 
you  as  often  as  you  can ;  and  write  particularly,  and  at 
large  to  •  *  ; 

Tour  very  affectionate  Brother, 

^ "         '  "JOSEPH  BENSOJf. 


''i'fi'^-  i^Ji"  i'V'-.  ■  :.:,«,, 


■%: 


tm^. 


228 


MEMOIRS   OF 


rREUt'EMTLT    SICI   DURING  MT    STAT    IN  KERMUDA. 


W 


3» 


^  I  ihall,  for  want  of  room,  be  obliged  to  omit  maoy  of 
the  other  epistles  that  formed  my  correspondence  with  the 
mifesion-committee  relative  to  the  Bermuda  mission — liow- 
ever,  I  deem  the  following  not  unworthy  a  place  in  this  lit* 
tie  memoiri*^^'^*'''^^'^''**'^"^'''**^'**^^'''^-^^  *^ 

Extract  ^J  a  letter  from  Mr.  Marsden,  Missionary ^  to  the 
■ft#  11  -isNrf^sl-i^^*-    Rev,  Dr,  Coke.'  f f-^***  '1*^^.'  -h*^^- ■ 
f*%^ii*fff  *^  5*  Hamilton,  Bermuda,  Nov.  14,  1810. 
Rev.  AND  DEAR  Sir,  '  *-      ;      4^ 

This  summer  has  been  a  time  of  uncommon  sickness  to 
your  poor  missionary.  I  have  hardly  been  a  week  free 
from  the  dysentery ;  sometimes  I  have  had  it  to  an  alarm- 
ing degree.  Indeed,  had  I  availed  myself  of  the  opinions 
of  doctors  on  the  subject,  there  is  hardly  one  in  Bermuda, 
but  would  have  advised  me  to  quit  the  Island ;  as  it  is 
doubtful  whether,  after  being  so  long  resident  in  a  cold 
climate,  1  should  continue  to  s^and  the  intensely  hot  sum- 
mers of  Bermuda.  .  You  will  recollect,  that  in  our  hottest 
days  here,  we  have  not  the  advantage  of  an  east  wind  to 
cool  the  fervours  of  a  scorching  sun.  The  season  has  been 
particularly  fatal  to  old  men;  Justice  Jones,  a  zcIblIgus 
friend  to  the  cause  of  God,  died  a  few  weeks  ago ;  he  was 
a  venerable  cfiristian,  a  truly  dignified  man,  an  excellent 
scholar,  and  a  real  friend  to  religious  liberty  and  universal 
toleration.  .  As  an  elder,  he  was  a  pillar  to  the  Presbyte- 
rian cause ;  he  was  a  warm  affectionate  friend  to  the  Me- 
thodists, and  showed  the  world  how  amiable  the  gentleman, 
the  scholar,  and  the  christian  are,  when  united  in  one. 
His  death  gave  the  last  finish  to  a  life  of  piety,  and  was 
such  as  every  one  had  cause  to  expect :  calm  and  resign- 
ed, full  of  hope  and  heavenly  consolation.  I  visited  him 
the  day  before  he  departed,  and  was  witness  to  that  sweet 


JOSHUA   BIARBOEN. 


229 


st^ 


THE   HAPPT    DEATH  OF   JUSTICE   JONES. 


displiy  of  dyiog  godlioess,  that  might  have  excited  Ba- 
laam's vfuh  from  the  lips  of  infidelUyiiBeU,  Mr.  Metaon 
preached  his  funeral  sermoD  to  a  eonnderable  number  of 
geutlemeo  and  respectable  inhabitantB,  to  whkh  I  added 
a  short  testimony  to  the  memory  of  departed  excellence. 

Last  week  anotlier  hoary  disciple  of  Christ  finished  her 
course,  aged  about  ninety-eight ;  she  was  a  follower  of  Mr. 
Whitfield,  when  he  yisited  Bermuda,  about  sixty-five 
yeaitf  ago,  and  went  up  and  down  the  iskud  with  him  in 
his  evang«Hcal  peregrinations.  One  hardly  knew  which 
to  admire  most  in  this  old  saint,  her  infant  simplicity,  hu< 
miliating  weakness,  or  christian  patience,  under  the  infir- 
mities of  near  an  hundred  years ;  she  was  almost  deprived 
of  every  faculty  but  that  of  praising  and  waiting  upon 
God ;  though  reduced  to  extreme  poverty,  to  a  skeleton, 
to  a  miserable  cottage  in  tlie  midst  of  a  wood,  with  only  an 
aged  daughter  to  attend  upon  her,  s^te  was  thankful,  con- 
tented, resigned,  and  happy;  which,  with  the  artless  sim- 
plicity of  her  christian  experience,  rendered  her  a  singular 
iand  happy  plienomenon.  *i#^«ss'#¥:^iC''^'^fSH^^r**^''-''#^n%-^  ■ 
f'*^To  the  above  I  may  add  Justice  Pennison,  another 
friend  to  the  mission:  this  old  man  had  for  four  or  five 
years  been  wading  through  the  black  sea  of  despaii-,  and 
on  those  stormy  waters  bad  been  sorely  buffeted  with  the 
billows  of  fierce  temptation — his  death  was  sudden.  I 
hope  be  changed  a  stormy  sea  for- a  quiet  haven. 

Our  chapel  is  at  last  finished,  and  supposed  to  be  one  of 
the  neatest  and  most  commodious  in  the  West  Indies;  it 
has  a  good.gallery,  and  a  snug  little  vestry ;  the  congrega- 
tion is  upon  the  increase,  though  I  have  laboured  under 
some  difiiculties  this  summer,  relative  to  the  blacks;  (he* 


*''■ 


~*» 


V  S 


230 


MEMOIRS   OF 


JUNIOR    PREACHERS   AVERSE  TO    00   ON  MISSIONS. 


^^ 


great  aversion  of  many  in  power,  (the  Governor  bein^; 
gone  home,)  rose  almost  to  a  persecution;  but,  thank  God, 
the  storm  is  allayed.  Our  society  in  town  is  about  sixty, 
and  in  tlie  country  about  eighty ;  thirty  of  whom  are  white 
people,  and  the  rest  free  people  of  colour,  and  slaves ; 
some  of  the  whites  are  respectable,  the  rest  in  the  middling 
stations  of  life, — but  as  yet,  there  is  no  provision  made  for 
a  missionary.  The  collections  in  the  chapel,  and  all  I 
can  scrape  elsewhere,  go  to  defray  the  expense,  and  cover 
the  debt  upon  the  building;  which,  as  soon  as  clear,  will 
raise  a  very  handsome  salary  for  a  minister :  and  I  again 
request,  that  a  missionary  may  be  sent  out  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. I  see  no  reasonable  objection  young  men  can  mak^ 
to  coming  on  such  a  mission  as  this ;  particularly,  when 
every  thing  is  got  ready  to  their  hands.  The  backward- 
ness of  the  junior  preachers  to  go  out  on  missions,  has,  of 
late,  filled  me  with  many  melancholy  ideas,  and  with  some 
fears,  that  the  missions  may  finally  fail,  for  waut,  not  of 
pecuniary  help,  but  of  the  true  missionary  spirit ;  and  I  often 
think,  that  if  our  brethren  at  the  conference  do  not  take 
some  new  steps  to  this  purpose,  in  tlie  end,  none  will  be 
found  willing  to  go.  How  lamentable  it  is  to  think,  that 
so  many  of  the  West  India  Islands  should  be  destitute  of 
christian  instruction ;  to  say  nothing  of  how  ill  some  of  those 
places  are  supplied,  where  missionaries  have  been  ettabliih- 
ed.  O  Sir !  do  all  in  your  power  to  help  thcbe  forlorn 
sheep.  In  my  opinion,  posterity  wiK  record  the  name  of 
Coke,  with  those  of  Wilberforce  and  Clarkaon,  as  friends 
and  benefactors  of  the  African  race.  They,  as  iostniments 
in  the  hands  of  God,  benevolently  broke  their  natural  ,*  you 
have  broken  their  moral  and  spiritual  bonds-^they  have 
been  the  means  of  placing  them  in  the  rank  of  men ;  yoii 


JOSHUA   MARSDEX. 


231 


THE   REV.   DOCTOR  COKE    A    OREAT    BENEFACTOR  TO   THE    BLACKS. 


of  christians — they  said,  *''  Africa,  be  free ;"   you  say 

**  Africa,  be  pious."    Go  oo,  dear  Sir,  aod  the  Lord  will 

reward  you,  while  thousands  of  happy  Africans  shall  rise 

up,  and  call  yuu  blessed.    With  my  affectionate  regard 

for  yourself,  and  love  to  all  the  committer  and  preachers, 

""^^mm-  I  remain,  dear  Sir,     ■-^■-■■'^'■•■^^mi^k^f.f^p'^jiis^  • 

■i'}h»}»»m  4K    Your  obliged  servant,  and       ->*=?Jf  *•»  -'^^^, 

*  ;lt«f  t*iif>  :?5^  Truly  affectionate  son  in  the  Gospel,   -    ^ 


/— '^  ^r-^-t    .-■ 


.^r-  -  >^ 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


'  '  The  society  continued  to  increase;  many  most  respect- 
able people  constantly  attended  the  chapel.     The  follow- 
ing letter,  as  it  contains  the  tour  or  routine  of  my  duty,  may 
not  be  unacceptable  to  my  readers. 
Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Mr,  Joshtta  Marsdetiy  to  Mr. 

^  « •ifSHi^j^^M'^i^  HamiUonf  Bermuda^  May  Id,  1811. 
Rev.  and  dbar  Sir, ■^■l»■■y^; i*j*;i'?-w4.^ ^i^imM'^^^h.i^fi--:  % 

^^i  Blessed  be  God,  the  work  in  Bermuda  is  in  a  good  state. 
Some  are  thirsting  for  the  well  of  life ;  several  have  ob- 
tained a  clear  witness  of  the  pardoning  love  of  Jesus,  aod 
the  society  has  increased  to  about  one  hundred  and  thirty. 

'  It  is  divided  into  seven  classes,  five  of  blacks,  and  two  of 
whites.  The  whites  are  truly  zealous,  and  thougli  it  is 
like  changing  cast  in  the  East  Indies  to  join  the  society, 
yet  many  can  hardly  be  restrained  by  their  relations  from 

-  coming  amongst  us,  so  mightily  does  the  word  of  God, 
preached  in  the  chapel,  affect  their  consciences.    Qur  sta- 

: '  ted  congregation  is  about  three  hundred,  two  hundred  of 

'  whom  ai^e  some  of  the  roost  respectable  white  people  in  the 

s  island.  One  of  the  principal  merchants,  a  magistrate,  and 
all  his  family,  areciommunicants;  and  his  lady,  who  has  be- 
come a  precious,  pious  womaQ,  has  joined  the  society.   My 


\ » 


232 


i'     MBMOrlRS   or 


MY   ROtrTINK  or  DUTY   IN  TBI   lOllMEa   ISLANDS. 


■;  %^, 


routine  of  dnty  li  m  follofrs:  I  preach  at  Hamilton  oo 
the  LordVday  morning ;  after  moniiDg  preaching,  I  some* 
timea  ride  (o  Bayley'a  Bay,  or  Harris's  Bay,  preach  in 
the  afternoon;  return  and  preach  at  Hamilton  in  the 
evening.  On  Monday  evenijog  I  meet  the  class  of  white 
people ;  on  Tuesday  evenhig  preach  to  the  blacks  in  the 
chapel ;  on  Wednesday  evening  meet  the  class  of  blacks; 
on  -Thursday  afteniooD  preach  to  the  whites  in  the  chapel; 
on  Friday  I  ride  to  St.  Georges,  and  preach  on  Friday, 
Saturday,  and  Sunday,  and  meet  St.  Georges  society.  I 
also  sometimes  preach  occasional  sermons  at  Spanish 
Point,  Brackish  Pond,  David's  Island,  Crow  Lane,  and 
Heron  Bay. 

A  little  while  ago,  the  blacks  that  could  read  being  des- 
titute of  hymn-books,  I  published  a  little  pamphlet,  a  copy 
of  which  I  have  sent  you.  The  chief  Justice  requested  a 
copy  to  be  sent  him,  of  which  he  was  pleased  to  speak  in 
handsome  terms.   i-'S**-  ■^■-■•JT*i*'«5i^™-feT  -■it^.:v-^.'^i'i,t\rr-ir,':'j'^^-i^*f^-i^^ 

Since  my  last,  Mr.  Edward  Masters,  a  constant  attend- 
ant at  the  cbapelf  died  in  peace  and  comfort.  He  had 
been  a  master  of  a  vessel,  and  coming  home  sick,  God  was 
pleased  to  overrule  the  affliction  for  his  good.  As  soon  as 
he  could  go  out,  he  came  to  the  chapel ;  the  word  was 
made  a  blessing  to  his  soul,  and  he  became  very  zealous^ 
warning,  exhorting,  and  Inviting  others.  In  a  little  whii«v 
he  had  a  relapse^  and  soon  after  sent  for  me  to  adminiater 
him  the  Lord's  supper,  which  he  received  as  the  pledge  of 
eternal  happiness,  rejoicing  in  the  Lord.  It  was  a  most 
refreshing  time.  In  a  day  or  two  after,  he  mo8ttr]umpb<* 
antly  passed  into  the  world  of  happy  ppirits.   ^     ^.  .  v 

For  about  three  months  last  past,  our  dear  old  friend, 
Mr.  Pallas,  has  been  laid  upon  a  bed  of  pain,  and  is  now 


\ 


4* 


JOSHUA   MARSDKN. 


23d 


THK  HAPPT  DEATH  Of  MR.  PALLAI. 


just  at  the  gates  of  paradise.  His  soul,  thougli  low  at  fitit 
from  famSlj  trials,  soon  rose  above  tiiat  heavy  atmospliere 
to  the  clear  siioshiDe  of  gospel-light ;  and  oow  for  about 
three  moDths,  though  bed-ridden  and  worn  to  a  ikeletoot 
he  has  had  full  prospect  of  the  port,  and  has  rejoiced  un- 
speakably. Many  have  found  a  blessing  from  his  dying 
testimony,  but  in  my  next  I  expect  to  be  able  to  send  you 
a  fuller  account.  In  the  mean  whilCf  I  request  that  you 
will  remember  me  to  all  the  committee,  and  to  the  confer- 
ence, whose  faithful  son  and  servant  may  the  Lord  enable 
me  to  live  and  die.  \  *  ^si^v^^  i*'^  i.^    .r     ,     •  f 

^  I  am,  dear  Sh-,       ;  ».^.^.*.  *^--ir-:-^^'-— -    «  .^ 

Your  most  oblio^ed  and  afTectionate,  though  ^ 

<  ^        Unworthy  fellow-labourer  in  the  Gospel  of  Jesui, 
*^  V  JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 

Thus,  after  being  four  years  in  the  Bummer-IslandSf 
with  what  success  tlie  foregoing  narrative  has  shown,  my 
successor  arrived  from  England  in  the  moDth  of  February, 
1812,  and  on  the  11th  of  April  following,  I  embarked  in 
the  British  Packet  for  New-York,  to  call  for  my  partner 
and  children,  and  avail  myself  of  the  first  opportunity  for 
England — but  alas!  in  this  I  was  disappointed.  When 
we  arrived  off  Sandy-Hook,  the  pilot  who  came  on  board 
informed  us,  that  there  was  an  embargo  in  the  ports  of  the' 
United  States.  This  was  succeeded  the  following  June  with 
a  declaration  of  war,  so  that  I  have  been  detained  among 
my  brethren  iu  the  United  States  till  the  present  hour, 
thankful  that  I  am  allowed  to  preach  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ.  I  have  received  many  tokens  of  unaf- 
fected kindness  from  the  society  of  New- York;  to  the 
Bishops  I  am  under  obligations,  I  have  not  words  to  ex- 
press.   To  the  Trustees  of  the  New- York  society  I  shall 


\-%ii^     -4-?».  .,*fc"' 


mn^tm^ 


O 


234 


MEMOIRS   OF 


■  INDNES9  or   THE    BI8B0PI     ANU  NEW-TORK    TKIISTCES. 


ever  feel  grateful  {  they  hnve  kiiowa  the  heart  of  a  strao- 
ger,  and  used  hotpitality  without  grudging  $  their  kindness 
has  kept  me  from  being  burthensome  to  my  brethren  in 
England,  and  made  an  impresBiou  on  my  heart  that  can 
only  be  lost  with  the  power  of  recollection.  My  situation 
in  the  United  States  has  been  critical  and  delicate ;  but 
while  some  have  wished  to  embitter  my  stay  with  harsh 
reflections,  hard  names,  and  dry,  political  discussions, 
there  have  not  been  wanting  others,  who  have  politely  and 
affectionately  endeavoured  to  make  me  feel  as  much  at 
home  as  possible.  ;  -i^^  ?>  ■'  *  '  /  it  '  <;  ^;?*^'  '  "*> 
With  regard  to  my  private  and  public  sentiments,  I  can 
truly  say,  as  in  the  presence  of  the  Iiord,  ^^  ^-  ^  **'  '  *■*  \ 
Homo  sum  :  humam  nt^  a  me  aUemim  puio,  "  ^' ' 
I  am  no  raao's  enemy,  no  nation's  enemy,  but,  I  trust,  a 
friend  to  all  the  human  race* 

I  wish  to  live  and  die  io  the  faith  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
and  the  great  truths  contained  in  his  holy  word.  But  I 
am  in  general  na  friend  to  controversy ;  most  of  my  opin- 
ions respecting  divine  things  may  be  found  in  the  forego- 
ing pages.  With  regard  to  the  great  controversy  that  haa 
so  long  a^tated  the  christian  world,  I  have  been  called  a 
Calvinist  by  rigid  Armimaoa,  and  by  Antinomian-Calvin- 
ists  a  Pelagian.  In  ray  sentiments  I  wish  to  take  the  mid- 
die  ground,  as  I  am  persuaded  the  truth  lies  betwixt  both 
extremes;  the  rigid  Calvinist  is  in  dang'^r  of  Antinomian- 
ism,  and  the  rigid  Arminian  may  fall  into  Semi-Pelagianism. 
I  would  adopt  Calvinism  so  far  as  to  secure  to  Christ  all 
the  honour  and  gk»ry  of  man's  redemption  and  salvation  ; 
and  Arminianism  to  secure  the  purity,  holiness,  and  spirit- 
uality of  the  moral  law,  and  the  holiness  of  the  gospel.  I 
urould  saj  to  Arminians,  Christ  is  my  only  foundation^ 


JOBHVJk   1IAB0»BN. 


«fl35 


THE    OOLDEN    MCAM. 


■i'^ 


and  to  Calvioista,  kolinees  is  my  ooly  supirstrucUtre.  To 
the  former  1  would  say,  Christ  given  for  me;  to  the  latter, 
Christ  wrought  in  me«  I  know  there  is  a  danger  of  boast- 
ing in  Christ,  till  we  neglect  holioesfr— -we  may  also  so 
speak  of  our  own  works,  as  to  supersede  the  Redeemer. 
But  God  forbid,  that  we  should  ever  pluck  one  jewel  from 
his  glorious  Tiara;  and  heaven  forbid  the  thougl/t,  that 
we  should  ever  make  Christ  a  minister  of  sin.  I  firmly 
believe  that,  Christ  died  for  all— *that  all  mankind  have  an 
offer  of  grace,  and  may  be  saved,  according  to  the  dispen- 
sation under  which  they  live ;  and  yet,  I  dare  not  say,  but 
some  are  elected.  I  see  no  difficulty  in  thb :  Christ  died 
for  all,  so  that  all  may  be  saved— but  whether  he  render- 
ed the  salvation  of  any  so  inevitable  as  that  they  never  can 
be  lost,  I  cannot  prove.  I  think  it  is  hardly  to  be  suppo- 
sed that  he  left  the  salvation  of  all  men  to  a  contingencyi 
or  peradventure ;  and  yet  we  are  told,  that  God  is  do  re- 
specter of  persons,  but  in  every  nation,  he  that  fearetb  God 
and  worketh  righteousness,  is  accepted  of  him.    -.  .-^  -^ 

My  ««ame8t  wish  and  prayer  is,  that  religion,  pure  and 
undefiled  religion,  may  spread  to  the  ends  of  the  earth ;  all 
ioBtitmioDS  to  promote  this  gives  me  real  heart-felt  pleasure. 
The  prosperity  of  Zion  is  a  subject,  in  which  I  trust,  I 
have  a  large  interest — hence  I  have  ever  considered  chris- 
tian missions  as  the  noblest  institutions  of  society,  and  in 
the  hands  of  a  wise  Providenre,  capable  of  doing  infinite 
good;  whoever  encourages  them  will  doubtless  prosper. 
Fray  ye  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem,  they  shall  prosper  who 
love  her.  The  exertions  making  in  this  line,  certain- 
ly indicate,  that  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  is  glorious- 
ly near.  If  the  world  is  to  be  reformed,  God  will 
doubtless  employ  his  Son-^his  Son  will  employ  the  gospel 


«i 


<.:JMl. 


236 


MEMOIRS  OF 


THE  GOSPEL    THE    PRECURSOR  OF   THE  MILLENNIl'M. 


as  the  brightest  transcript  of  his  divine,  gracious,  and  holy 
nature.  Ministers  must  be  employed  in  this  divine  work; 
so  that  in  the  result,  or  final  issue,  the  ministry  of  the  gos- 
pel will  be  honoured  as  the  blessed  means  of  reclaiming  a 
guilty  world,  and  bringing  men  back  to  the  true  knowledge 

*>    i*  The  pulpit,  when  the  sttirist  has  at  hat,     'i**'-  *^  •mi^nir  ,^^: 
'■ '  Jk-'^Oi '  Strutting  and  vapouring  in  an  empty  school,         ,  .s 

;        ■       Spentall  his  force,  and  made  no  pnwelyte—  '-<  '^«'  Tfi!  irfwc; 

V3*'  *fe|^  1  say,  ttie  pulpit,  in  the  eober  use   -^  «■?«  #.«>  ;•  ;>:jw»^ji^-  ^ff^.j^n^; 
^  Of  its  legitimate,  peculiar  powers,  ,      •*"   • 

•   i?i>fi<#*'  Must  stand  acicnowledged,  whr'.e  the  world  f.haH  stand,     ■*;+  '■.'xrtfi*^? 
;    ,.    ^      The  most  effectual  guard,  support,  and  ornament  of  virtue's  cause' 

'     ^.   '    ■  ,  ,    .,  .  COWPKR. 

I  venerate  those  holy  and  faithful  souls  who  have  vo- 
lunteered their  services  to  spread  the  gospel  in  distant  cli- 
mates and  foreign  lands;  when  I  read  their  labours  my 
heart  glows  within  nae;  I  sometimes  wish  to  be  upon  the 
plains  of  Hindosian,  the  island  of  Ceylon,  or  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope ;  when  I  hear  of  their  success,  I  feel  a  senti- 
ment of  true,  gratitude  -,  when  of  their  disappointment,  I 
join  them  in  saying,  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.  By 
means  of  missions,  the  kingdom  of  Christ  shall  be  spread, 
and  his  salvation  extend  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  ^  ^.^^ta^. 
1  Perhaps,  after  having  been  thirteen  years  on  missions, 
such  is  my  wish  to  serve  the  cause  of  religion,  that  were  I 
safely  to  arrive  in  England,  a  strong  emotion  of  tliis  kind 
might  again  induce  me  to  spend  the  remainder  of  my  life 
in  this  honourable  and  blessed  service.         r-i.,    -  ;, 

With  regard  to  jny  christian  experience,  it  may  be  sup- 
posed, that  as  a  missionary,  I  always  enjoyed  a  sense  of 
the  presence  and  love  of  God ;  and  that  I  always  walked 
in  close  communion  with  him :  that  1  have,  at  seasons,  en- 
joyed all  these,  is  strictly  true ;  my  light  was  strong,  »ny 


-!•;.«;« 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


237 


A   LITTLE   SKETCH    OF    MT    EXPERIENCE. 


hope  was  brigiit,  and  my  soul  has  been  watered  from  the 
fountain  of  goodness— but  I  have  often  been  brought  into 
dulness  by  worldly  conversation;  levity  has  not  unfre- 
quently  involved  me  in  cooderanation,  and  a  neglect  of  sc« 
cret  prayer  has  made  me  drag  on  dull  and  hea/ily.  Per- 
haps, reading  all  kinds  of  books  has  not  had  the  best  eflfect 
upon  my  mind.  I  have  sometimes  suffered  loss  by  not  ri- 
sing early ;  and  too  great  a  tenderness,  or  fear  of  giving 
offence  in  reproving  others,  has  proved  a  snare  to  my  own 
soul;  anger  has  always  been  one  of  mj  besetmeots,  and  has 
often  deeply  wounded  my  peace ;  promptly,  and  perhaps 
imprudently,  speaking  my  mind,  as  it  is  called,  has  some- 
times brought  me  into  great  trouble ;  the  want  of  spiritu- 
ality in  my  conversation  has  frequently  hindered  my 
preaching  and  labours  from  being  as  useful  as  they  other* 
wise  might.  I  know  a  minister  of  the  gospel  should  be 
solemn  and  serious;  yet  not  melancholy  and  morose — how- 
ever cheerful  he  is,  he  should  set  God  before  his  eyes :  the 
people  are  watching  every  word — ^yet  I  have  often  been  de- 
lightfully drawn  out  in  prayer  towaixls  God ;  my  heart 
has  been  melted  into  all  holy  desire  to  be  fully  conformed 
to  the  divine  will,  and  humbled  in  the  very  dust,  with  a 
deep  consciousness  of  unfaithfulness  and  remaining  de- 
pravity, taking  refuge  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  as  n\y  only 
sanctuary  from  the  divine  displeasure,  and  as  my  only  hope 
of  the  divine  complacency.  Sometimes  I  have  thought  that  I 
had  no  right  to  lean  on  Christ,  unless  I  were  more  fully 
conformed  to  him  ;  a  consciousness  of  great  infumities  has 
often  laid  the  ax  to  the  root  of  my  confidence— but  then 
I  thought,  if  I  have  sinned,  his  blood  is  the  only  atone- 
ment; whither  else  shrill  I  go  but  to  him  ?  if  I  leave  him  I 


A*:', 


m 


MEMOIRS  OP 


THE    BIBLE    MV    TEEASUftC. 


■A 


am  lost ;  if  I  can  but  touch  the  hem  of  his  garment  I  shall 
be  saved ;  hence  it  has  always  ministered  comfort  to  my  soul 
to  reflect,  that  Christ  is  the  only  hope  of  Israel,  the  ooir 
fduQtain  of  life,  and  rock  of  my  salvation ;  and  wheo  I  kmwe 
not  been  able  to  find  comfort  in  any  thing  else,  I  have 
generally  found  it  when  meditating,  and  striving  to  act 
faith  upon  Christ.  I  f.»iwt$^Ji!U  tel "  \Jk'3m'MW*^M  fj»  ritf* 
^  •  Reading  the  holy  scriptures  has  proved  a  blessed  means 
of  quickening  and  enlightening  ray  soul.  When  most  enga- 
ged, I  have  generally  found  the  greatest  relish  for  the 
irord  of  God :  secret  prayer,  and  a  love  for  the  bible,  have, 
generally  speaking,  been  marks  by  which  I  have  judged 
of  the  ebbing  and  flowing  of  divine  grace  in  my  soul.  For 
two  things,  especially,  I  have  searched  the  holy  records : 
counsel  and  comfort;  by  this  means  I  have  frequently 
been  directed  with  wonderful  clearness,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  the  precious  promises  would  dart  such  a  splen- 
dour and  vital  sweetness  into  my  soul,  as  enabled  me  to 
say.  Thy  word  is  sweeter  to  my  taste  thao  honey,  or  the 
honeycomb : — ^yea,  truly,  the  scriptures,  when  applied  to 
fhe  heart,  form  one  of  the  sweetest  feeling  the  man  can 
boast.  A  philosopher  may  admire  the  bible  for  its  wfe- 
dom  and  morality  ;  a  civilian  for  its  jurisprudence ;  a  poet 
for  its  sublimity  and  figures,  and  a  theologian  for  its  doc- 
trines  ^but  it  is  the  humble  christian  that  reads  it  in  the 

spirit  of  prayer ;  who  sees  through  the  veil;  enters  the  ho- 
liest, and  tastes  the  hidden  manna  of  God's  word. 

With  regard  to  worldly  enjoyments,  at  the  lowest  ebb  of 
divine  influence,  I  have  found  an  utter  impossibility  of 
being  happy  in  the  things  of  creation;  if  my  mind, 
like  the  dove  of  Noah,  when  out  of  the  ark,  would  light 
upon  this  or  that,  there  was  do  rest ;  the  void  could  not 


ff: 


JOSHUA   MABSDEN. 


230 


rURTUEB  VIEWS  OP  DIVINE  THINQS. 


■« 


be  felt ;  a  eircle  can  never  fill  a  triangle ;  temporal  ob- 
jects are  not  suited  to  the  make  of  the  immortal  mind ;  all 
things  love  the  element  suited  to  their  nature,  and  the  ele- 
ment of  the  soul  is  the  enjoyment  of  God.    Hence  only 
irhen  seeking  ray  happiness  in  him,  would  I  say,  Thb  is 
ray  rest;  here  wiH  I  abide  for«ver;  here  is  firm  footing; 
here  is  solid  rock.       In  afilictions  I  have  sometimes  felt 
great  dulness,  but  more  generally  a  deep  humblingi  and 
crjring  to  God;  flying  to  him  as  my  only  refuge;  the 
true  christi&n  then  especially  seeks  his  solace  in  God.    Id 
times  of  danger  I  have  often  felt  a  calm  and  firm  reliance , 
upon  his  almighty  power  and  goodness,  looking  only  fori^' 
deliverance  through  him,  and  by  such  means  as  his  wis- 
dom might  point  out. 

With  regard  to  divine  and  brotherly  love«  it  has  some- 
times appeared  from  the  sensible  coldness  of  my  heart, 
dulness  of  my  prayers,  want  of  lively  zeal,  small  stock  of 
patience,  meekness,  and  heavenly-mindedness,  that  I  did 
not  love  at  all.  I  have  gone  a  little  further  in  search  of 
proof.  Would  you  deny  Christ  for  all  the  world  ?  No  I 
Have  you  not  more  exalted  thoughts  of  the  ineffable 
Redeemer  than  of  all  besides  in  earth  or  heaven  ?  Tes  ! 
*'  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee,  and  there  is  none  oa 
earth  I  desire  besides  thee  ?"  Would  you  rather  suffer 
with  Christ,  than  sin  with  the  world  ?  Yes,  I  would. 
Would  you  rather  beg  with  Christ  than  reign  with 
Cesar  ?  Yes.  a  thousand  fold.  Do  you  admire  Christ  ag 
a  king,  pro[)het,  and  lawgiver?  Yes, supremely.  Is  not 
your  little  conformity  to  him)  the  greatest  pain  you  feel? 
Yes,  '<  it  is  worse  thab  death  my  God  to  love,  and  not 
my  God  alone !  Is  not  the  least  comfort  you  have  iu 
Christ  greater  than  the  world  ever  gave  you  without  him  ? 


•,v  y 


i"'':i 


140 


MEMOIRS  OV 


— '■ ■=- i---' L.^.^.i|l    .     ,1       .h,\i,,il^.U^L^ifB 

WISH  rOR  THE  rR0«riRIT7  OP  liBblOION. 


r.^..  , 


Is  his  crow  pleasant?  Not  indeed  to  mj  flesh  and  blood  ? 
bui  to  my  judgmeni,  mind,  and  conscience,  it  is  truly  pleasant. 

I  have  often  had  to  accuse  myself  with  want  of  more 
zeal.  Sometimes,  indeed,  the  value  of  souls,  the  hurtful- 
iiess  of  sin,  and  the  interests  of  Christ*s  kingdom)  have  ap* 
peared  in  all  their  magnitude,  and  rested  with  solemn 
weight  upon  my  mind.  This  desire  has  frequently  given 
an  ardency  to  my  prayers,  a  closeness  to  my  reading,  a 
diligence  lO  my  visiting,  and-  an  earnestness  to  my  preach- 
ing. My  sou"^  has  always  rejoiced,  when  I  have  read  ac- 
counts of  the  spread  of  the  gospel,  and  the  increase  of 
Christ's  kingdom.  I  have  loved  the  gates  of  Zion,  and^ 
the  prosperity  of  religion,  not  merely  among  one  denomina- 
tion, or  in  one  country,  but  throughout  the  world.  That 
zeal  which  has  only  for  its  object  the  support  of  a  party 
or  the  prosperity  of  a  sect,  is  utterly  unworthy  the  cause 
of  Christ  ._.    V  . 

Finally,  I  will  conclude  this  little  memoir  in  the  pray- 
er of  a  pious  author :  "  Almighty  Ood,  look  down  on  thine 
erring  creature,  pity  my  darkness  and  imperfection,  direct 
me  into  the  truth,  as  it  k  in  Jesus,  banish  from  my  heart 
the  bitterness  of  censure,  and  enable  me  to  cherish  a 
a  spirit  of  moderation  and  love  toward  my  fellow-chris- 
tians.  To  my  zeal  add  knowledge,  charity ;  make  me 
humble  under  difficulties  which  adhere  to  my  faith ;  and 
patient,  under  the  perplexities  that  accompany  my  prac- 
tice. Guide  me  by  thy  counsel ;  and  through  the  merits 
and  mediation  of  thy  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  receive  me  at  last 
into  thy  kingdom  and  glory. 

*'?'-■'  -        •     ,       ■  ,'■'         .'    '      .  -'  ■      .^^  .>ii^^^~/■ 


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